Personal Appearance Workers

How to become a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist

Official title: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Also called: Beautician, Beauty Specialist, Cosmetologist, Hair Artist, Hair Dresser, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Hairstylist, Lash Technician (Lash Tech), Stylist

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.

Main tasks

Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
Schedule client appointments.
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.
Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.

How to become one

All states require barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to be licensed. To qualify for a license, candidates typically must graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and pass an exam.

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Cosmetologist.
Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General; Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician; Make-Up Artist/Specialist
Licence: A licence is required in 50 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $35,790 a year The middle half earn $30,120 to $48,830.
About 595,000 people work in this job now, and about 640,900 are projected by 2035. (+7.7%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist?

How much does a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $35,790 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $30,120 to $48,830.

Is a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 595,000 to about 640,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award; Cosmetologist.

Will AI change the work of a Hairdresser, Hairstylist or Cosmetologist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.