Salary and Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 558,700 people employed as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in
the United States.
The median annual salary is $29,670.
Entry level employees earn approximately $20,860 per year and senior employees earn approximately $59,070
per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.
Job Duties
- 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.
- 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.
- Clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails, using files and nail polish.
- Apply artificial fingernails.
- Give facials to patrons, using special compounds, such as lotions and creams.
- Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs.
- Develop new styles and techniques.
- Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair.
- Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.
- Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches.
- Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants.
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
- Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions.
- Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance.