Job description

Hairdressers are trained professionals that deliver a range of services including colouring, cutting and styling of the hair. They also recommend treatments and products to maintain the health of the hair and offer styling tips based on the client’s needs.

Duties

    • Consult with clients to identify their goals
    • Provide advice on suitable hair cut or colouring options
    • Carry out haircuts, colouring, styling and treatments
    • Offer styling tips to maintain the look at home
    • Upsell products based on the client’s needs
    • Answer telephone calls, schedule appointments and manage booking system
    • Handle payments and create receipts for clients
    • Display and arrange any visual merchandise

Skills and qualities

Active listening
Service orientation
Attention to detail
Communication
Manual dexterity
Precision
Patience
Organisational
Creativity
Pos software

Job outlook

Projected growth
The projected growth rate of employment in the US from 2018 to 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme. The national average growth rate for all professions is 5%.

8%

New jobs
The number of jobs projected to become available in the US between 2018 and 2028, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme.

57.8k

Automation risk

11%

Career progression

Many hairdressers progress to set up their own hair salon or become a partner in an existing one. Others choose to move into teaching and training development by offering hairdressing courses.

You could also specialise in a certain type of hairstyling and focus on a niche in the industry. For example, you could focus on just bridal or theatrical hair and build up clientele for specific services.

Working conditions

Average hours

40h/ week

Typical schedule

Full Time

Nights and weekends occasionally

Most hairdressers work for a hair salon. Others are self-employed and work on a freelance basis, usually offering home services.

As a hairdresser, you’ll be expected to work long hours including weekend work. You may also be required to travel to clients’s homes to offer your services.

Salary

Bottom 10%

$18k

Median

$25k

Top 10%

$50k

Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.

Qualifications and training

Education level

High school

State-licensed hairdressing certification

Study time

12 months

To become a hairdresser, you must complete a college-accredited hairdressing programme, which can take up to a year to complete. Alongside your certification, you must also partake in hands-on shop experience working alongside an experienced hairdresser. Certain states also require continuing education credits that can be offered in the form of courses.

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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