What Do Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist Do?
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.
What Do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Order, display, and maintain supplies.
- Give facials to patrons, using special compounds, such as lotions and creams.
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
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Qualities of a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
When polled, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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 for this Occupation:
- Electrologist
- Hairpiece Stylist
- Hair Dresser
- Master Cosmetologist
- Mortuary Beautician
Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 617,300 jobs in the United States for Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist. 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. There will be an estimated 84,700 positions for Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist per year.
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.
How Much Does a Hairdresser, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist Make?
The salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists ranges between about $17,980 and $50,110 a year.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Intuit QuickBooks
- YouTube
- Appointment scheduling software
- Customer information databases
- Sale processing software
How to 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?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Sector
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May 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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