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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Virginia
Want to work as a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services. Excludes “Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance” (39-5091), “Manicurists and Pedicurists” (39-5092), and “Skincare Specialists” (39-5094).
What do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Make in Virginia?
The hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $37,850 per year (or about $18.20/hour).Earnings range from $26,000 at the 10th percentile to $88,980 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,000 | $12.50 |
| 25th percentile | $28,090 | $13.50 |
| Median (50th) | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 75th percentile | $56,410 | $27.12 |
| 90th percentile | $88,980 | $42.78 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia compared to the national average — is 1.22, indicating that hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median of $39,017 per year ($18.76/hour), lower than the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 235,173 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 9,480 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,870 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
Top Virginia Metros for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
The largest metro-area employers of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 1,740 | $39,740 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,580 | $37,350 |
| Roanoke, VA | 290 | $30,530 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 280 | $43,370 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 250 | $37,450 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 150 | $37,850 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 130 | $40,240 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 90 | $32,730 |
Top States for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Employment
View the states that employ the most hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Florida | 23,220 |
| Texas | 22,470 |
| California | 21,510 |
| New York | 20,300 |
| Pennsylvania | 18,630 |
| New Jersey | 15,140 |
| Illinois | 13,770 |
| Ohio | 12,730 |
| Virginia | 9,480 |
| Massachusetts | 9,210 |
| Michigan | 9,010 |
| North Carolina | 8,720 |
| Arizona | 7,760 |
| Washington | 7,410 |
| Georgia | 6,850 |
| Colorado | 6,520 |
| Wisconsin | 6,460 |
| Indiana | 6,240 |
| Maryland | 5,900 |
| Missouri | 5,470 |
Highest-Paying States for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Where hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn the most: hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $58,920 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 |
| Vermont | $49,640 |
| South Dakota | $49,050 |
| Maine | $48,480 |
| District of Columbia | $48,060 |
| Massachusetts | $47,740 |
| Alaska | $44,700 |
| New Jersey | $44,110 |
| Colorado | $43,680 |
Skills
Top hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically:
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
- Order, display, and maintain supplies.
- Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.
- Develop new styles and techniques.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Getting Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Training and Teaching Others
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Apple iOS
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists include:
- Spa Managers
- Fashion Designers
- Floral Designers
- Opticians, Dispensing
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Costume Attendants
Also Known As
Beautician, Beauty Advisor, Beauty Operator, Beauty Specialist, Beauty Therapist, Colorist, Cosmetic Consultant, Cosmetician, Cosmetologist, Electrologist, Electrolysis Needle Operator, Electrolysis Operator, Electrolysist, Event Stylist, Funeral Home Makeup Artist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 39-5012.00