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Life As a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
Occupation Description Provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, and provide nail and skin care services.
Daily Life Of a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
- Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers and assistants.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers’ instructions, hair type and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.
- Give facials to patrons, using special compounds, such as lotions and creams.
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Qualities of a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
Below is a list of the skills most Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles
- Salon Stylist
- Barber Stylist
- Colorist
- Electrolysis Operator
- Wig Dresser
Job Opportunities for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
There were about 617,300 jobs for Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 80,100 new jobs for Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 84,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist are Utah, Washington, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
The typical yearly salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is somewhere between $17,980 and $50,110.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $23,490 |
| Alaska | $32,170 |
| Arizona | $29,010 |
| Arkansas | $23,890 |
| California | $31,400 |
| Colorado | $34,830 |
| Connecticut | $34,140 |
| Delaware | $35,810 |
| District of Columbia | $45,680 |
| Florida | $31,530 |
| Georgia | $26,960 |
| Hawaii | $34,300 |
| Idaho | $31,090 |
| Illinois | $29,900 |
| Indiana | $27,460 |
| Iowa | $28,360 |
| Kansas | $25,620 |
| Kentucky | $27,270 |
| Louisiana | $22,990 |
| Maine | $28,680 |
| Maryland | $30,590 |
| Massachusetts | $42,260 |
| Michigan | $29,080 |
| Minnesota | $30,690 |
| Mississippi | $25,800 |
| Missouri | $28,620 |
| Montana | $26,170 |
| Nebraska | $28,850 |
| Nevada | $23,420 |
| New Hampshire | $28,770 |
| New Jersey | $37,230 |
| New Mexico | $23,370 |
| New York | $30,920 |
| North Carolina | $28,550 |
| North Dakota | $28,240 |
| Ohio | $27,300 |
| Oklahoma | $25,180 |
| Oregon | $28,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $26,990 |
| Rhode Island | $28,730 |
| South Carolina | $24,090 |
| South Dakota | $30,630 |
| Tennessee | $28,300 |
| Texas | $25,520 |
| Utah | $26,370 |
| Vermont | $35,700 |
| Virginia | $34,250 |
| Washington | $40,910 |
| West Virginia | $24,260 |
| Wisconsin | $28,970 |
| Wyoming | $30,000 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Intuit QuickBooks
- YouTube
- Appointment scheduling software
- Customer information databases
- Sale processing software
How do I Become a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist?
Individuals working as a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Tiffany Bumgardner via Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license
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