Career Overview
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 Known As
- Cosmetologist
- Hair Stylist
- Hairdresser
- Hairstylist
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Originality
- Speech Recognition
- Visualization
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Social Orientation
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Attention to Detail
- Optimism
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Apple iOS
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Butterfly hair clamps
- Color application combs
- Curling irons
- Cuticle nippers
- Cuticle pushers
- Cuticle scissors
- Desktop computers
- Detangling combs
- Digital timers
- Duckbill hair clamps
- Dye application brushes
- Electronic cash registers
- Fine-tooth combs
- Fingernail clippers
- Flat irons
Work Environment
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $24,580 |
| Median | $35,250 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $70,220 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 295,460
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Barbers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $38,960
Skincare Specialists
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,560
Shampooers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $31,470
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $50,280
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,660
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.