How to hire an apprentice stylist

How to hire an apprentice stylist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step apprentice stylist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an apprentice stylist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new apprentice stylist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The apprentice stylist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect apprentice stylist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of apprentices stylist.

   Type of Apprentice Stylist	Description	Hourly rate
   Apprentice Stylist	Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling and a range of beauty services.	$11-25
   Hair Dresser	A hairdresser, also known as a hairstylist or beautician, is a person who specializes in the cutting or styling of hair with the goal of enhancing a person's appearance. As a hairdresser, your duties may range from cutting, washing, and styling to hair coloring and employing hair texturing techniques... Show more	$12-25
   Beautician	A Beautician is a person whose job is to do hair styling, manicures, and other beauty treatments. They work in various trades of the beauty industry, such as hair, skin, or nail care.	$11-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Stylists
   • Customer Service
   • Hair Services
   • Retail Products
   • Front Desk
   • Appointment Scheduling

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
   • Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.
   • Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your apprentice stylist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An apprentice stylist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, apprentices stylist' average salary in new mexico is 51% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level apprentices stylist 56% less than senior-level apprentices stylist.
   • Certifications. An apprentice stylist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an apprentice stylist's salary.

   Average apprentice stylist salary

   $36,708yearly

   $17.65 hourly rate

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   Entry-level apprentice stylist salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing an apprentice stylist job description

   A good apprentice stylist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an apprentice stylist job description:

   Apprentice stylist job description example

   The Colorado pay range for this position is from $12.56 to $18.00 per hour. Exact rate of pay will be based on position and experience level

   PetSmart is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetics, and protected veteran status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

   The employer will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

   
   
   

   The Groomery by PetSmart is a new approach to make our clients' pets look ready for the runway. A

   stand-alone salon with a spa-inspired design, the Groomery will provide upscale and innovative grooming services to the city's most stylish pets. We are looking for a dedicated and passionate team of associates to create a personalized salon experience that is as unique as the pet itself. Join us for this new and exciting opportunity!

   Join our team as a Bather/ Stylist Apprentice

   When pets inspire us to live happy and healthier lives, it only makes sense to ensure the same for them-and our Bathers & Groomer Trainees do just that. As an integral part of our grooming salons, our Bathers/Stylist Apprentices will prepare pets for bathing, trim their nails, brush their teeth and make sure they are as comfortable as possible!

   As a Bather / Stylist Apprentice, you will:

   • Perform Hands on Pet (HOP) assessment on all pets to recommend services and build trust with the Pet Parents.
   • Independently and safely perform the full menu of bath and brush services and share additional solutions with clients based on pets' needs
   • Maintain a high level of cleanliness, sanitation, and humane conditions for all pets in the grooming area.
   • Ensure the safety and well-being of every pet and associate in the store, taking immediate action whenever necessary.
   • Collaborate with leadership on other duties as needed

   We look forward to seeing your application to join our Groomery Team!

   This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. You will be provided a copy of a job description for the actual position you are hired in to.

   PetSmart is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetics, and protected veteran status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

   The employer will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find apprentices stylist for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your apprentice stylist job on Zippia to find and recruit apprentice stylist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with apprentice stylist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new apprentice stylist

   Once you've decided on a perfect apprentice stylist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new apprentice stylist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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