How to hire a hair specialist

How to hire a hair specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hair specialist hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a hair specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A hair specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hair specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of hair specialist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Hair Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Hair Specialist	Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling and a range of beauty services.	$11-26
   Cosmetologist	A cosmetologist specializes in offering various services ranging from haircuts, makeup, skin and hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, and even shaving beards. They must have extensive knowledge and experience on the subject, plus keep up with current trends... Show more	$12-25
   Licensed Cosmetologist	A Licensed Cosmetologist provides various services, such as hairstyling, skincare, nail treatments, and makeup. They are responsible for complying with health and safety standards.	$11-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Product Knowledge
   • Wigs
   • Hair Removal
   • Retail Sales
   • Dryers
   • Clips
   • Beauty Products
   • Front Desk
   • Repeat Business
   • Hair Care
   • Customer Care

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
   • Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.
   • Perform cosmetology services on clients-scheduling appointments-Inventory

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, hair specialists' average salary in new mexico is 48% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hair specialists 59% less than senior-level hair specialists.
   • Certifications. A hair specialist 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 a hair specialist's salary.

   Average hair specialist salary

   $36,659yearly

   $17.62 hourly rate

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   Entry-level hair specialist salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a hair specialist job description

   A hair specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a hair specialist job description:

   Hair specialist job description example

   WHO ARE YOU?
   
   Do you enjoy dance music? Do you excel at costume or character hair styles? Then you're in luck! We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter who embodies both a passion for dance culture and a love of the event operations space. Is this you? Read on...
   
   WHO ARE WE? Insomniac produces some of the most innovative, immersive music festivals and events in the world. Enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting, pyrotechnics and sound design, large-scale art installations, theatrical performers and next generation special effects, our events captivate the senses and inspire a unique level of fan interaction. The quality of the Headliner experience is our top priority.
   
   Insomniac produces 10,000 concerts, club nights and festivals for seven million attendees annually across the globe. Since its inception, Insomniac's events have taken place in 13 countries across five continents. The company's premiere annual event, Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, is the world's largest dance music festival and attracts more than 525,000 fans over three days. The company was founded by Pasquale Rotella and has been based in Los Angeles since it was formed in 1993.
   
   THE ROLE
   
   Insomniac Events is seeking a highly motivated and proactive Entertainment Wig and Hair Specialists to join our Entertainment team. This position reports to the Entertainment Director.
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   + Prepare theatrical wigs & hair styled to an approved design for performers of events.
   
   + Restyle, maintain, & make alternations or adjustments to wigs according to the daily schedule for all shows.
   
   + Work closely with a variety of performers in the application of theatrical wigs & headdresses during show run, rehearsals, preparation, and show changes.
   
   + Properly applying & pinning theatrical headdresses & wigs securely for performance.
   
   + Assist fellow team members with headdresses, wigs & quick changes in both set-up and run of show.
   
   + Perform other tasks and carry out projects as assigned by the lead hair artist or director.
   
   + Always maintain a safe & sanitary working environment, conforming to all established health & safety policies and procedures.
   
   + Repair, construct, clean and prep wigs for the run of the show.
   
   + Maintain ongoing maintenance of wigs, headdresses, or hairpieces etc.
   
   + Maintain documentation for maintenance and participate in rotation of duties as directed.
   
   + Proper clean up, repack & storage of all headdresses and hair related items at the end of each show.
   
   EXPECTATIONS
   
   + Fast pace - artist must be able to move quickly & efficiently in high volume to make show launch times.
   
   + Be knowledgeable in application of theatrical headdresses & wigs of all sizes.
   
   + Attention to Detail - being careful about detail and quality of end product.
   
   + Cooperation - being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
   
   + Teamwork - working well with others in a team atmosphere.
   
   + Time Management - managing one's own time and the time of others.
   
   + Initiative - a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
   
   + Stress Tolerance - accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. Keeping emotions in check and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
   
   + Independence - guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
   
   + Dependability - being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
   
   + Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   + Diploma in hairstyling or at least 3 years of relevant experience in all aspects of theatrical wigs, hairdressing & styling.
   
   + Able to wash and set wigs and recreate a style from a photo in a clear and defined manner.
   
   + Hands on knowledge in appropriate use of styling tools & pinning.
   
   + Good interpersonal and communication skills.
   
   + Knowledge of live entertainment and Insomniac brands/shows.
   
   + Experience in entertainment, film, theater, theme park & or live events is a plus.
   
   + Some travel may be requested.
   
   + Use of personal vehicle may be requested.
   
   + Must be able to work longer festival hours, which may total up to 12 hours onsite at times.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT
   
   + Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
   
   + Ability to stand for long periods of time.
   
   + Must be able to tolerate loud noise levels & busy environments
   
   + May work in drastic temperature climates
   
   + Must be willing to frequently travel to work events during holidays, evening and weekend hours, as required, to meet deadlines
   
   Applicants for employment in the U.S. must possess work authorization, which does not require sponsorship by Insomniac for a visa.
   
   EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYInsomniac strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
   
   HIRING PRACTICES
   
   The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
   
   Insomniac recruitment policies are designed to place the most highly qualified persons available in a timely and efficient manner. Insomniac may pursue all avenues available, including promotion from within, employee referrals, outside advertising, employment agencies, Internet recruiting, job fairs, college recruiting and search firms.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right hair specialist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit hair specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 hair specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect hair specialist 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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