What are the pros and cons of being a hairdresser?

• Education requirements. You can attend hairdressing or cosmetology school to become a hairdresser, which is far cheaper and less time-consuming than traditional college degree programs.

  Some hairdressers even bypass school by being self-taught. Some also gain a hairdresser apprenticeship where they are paid to learn and work simultaneously.

• Fun working environment. If you enjoy cutting hair, then a hairdresser shop's environment can be a really fun job. Not only do you get to create hairstyles, but you also get to hang out and talk with clients and other hairdressers all day.

• You get to help people look better. Hairdressers can experience satisfaction and fulfillment by making a person look better. This service often makes clients feel better about themselves, making the hairdresser feel good about their job.

• Work is normally pretty easy. If you are good at cutting hair, being a hairdresser is usually pretty easy and not stressful. Hairdresser shops can get busy, but even during these times, the general feeling is low-stress and fun.

  The typical day for a hairdresser sees them cutting several clients' hair, cleaning the shop, and taking care of any necessary bookkeeping or scheduling.

Cons:

• In general, hairdressers do not make really good money. Hairdressers, on the whole, make decent salaries. The average annual salary of a hairdresser is $53,524 in the United States.

  However, you also have to put a lot of energy into building a strong client base before you can rely on a salary around this average. Most hairdressers also put in at least 40-hour work weeks.

• It's hard to make good money if you don't own a hairdresser shop. Hairdressers in cities generally have a steady stream of customers daily, while those in smaller cities and towns sometimes have little to no customers on a given day.

  Your location can significantly impact your overall earning potential as a hairdresser.

• Exposure to chemicals. Many hairdressers have to use chemical-based beauty products daily. While occasional exposure to these can be fine, everyday exposure might have the ability to cause health concerns.

  These professionals must be careful not to inhale too much aerosol or get too much of any beauty substance in their skin. Frequent hand-washing is encouraged.

• Building a strong client base isn't usually a quick process. Hairdressers that do well for themselves often have a strong client base that consistently comes in every few weeks or every other month for a haircut.

  Gaining a clientele is not exactly easy. When you are new to a hairdresser shop, you will likely see that most people coming through the doors are already a client of one of your fellow hairdressers.