Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
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.
Also called: Beautician · Cosmetologist · Hair Dresser · Hair Stylist · Hairdresser · Hairstylist
Median pay (national)
$35,250
$24,580–$70,220 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
295,460
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.6%
~75,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Postsecondary nondegree award
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $70,220 versus $24,580 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $35,250 leaves roughly 99% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.6% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 75,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $58,920, +67% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,410 — a 189% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Apple iOS
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Appointment scheduling software
- Customer information databases
- Sale processing software
- YouTube
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Administrative
- Economics and Accounting