Become A Hair Stylist

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Working As A Hair Stylist

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Thinking Creatively
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Assisting and Caring for Others
Getting Information

Deal with People
Outdoors/walking/standing
Repetitive
Make Decisions
$34,387
Average Salary

What Does A Hair Stylist Do

A Hair Stylist serves customers through preparing, conditioning, and styling hair. Their duties include cutting, shaving, trimming, and washing hair.

How To Become A Hair Stylist

All states require barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists to be licensed. To qualify for a license, candidates are required to graduate from a state-approved cosmetology program.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is required for some positions. In addition, every state requires that barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists complete a program in a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school. Programs in hairstyling, skin care, and other personal appearance services are available in postsecondary vocational schools.

Full-time programs in barbering and cosmetology usually last at least 9 months and may lead to an associate’s degree. Most of these workers take advanced courses in hairstyling or in other personal appearance services to keep up with the latest trends. Those who want to open their own business also may take courses in sales and marketing.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists must obtain a license in order to work. Qualifications for a license vary by state, but generally, a person must fulfill the following criteria:

Reached a minimum age of 16
Received a high school diploma or equivalent
Graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school

After graduating from a state-approved training program, students take a state licensing exam that includes a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.

In many states, cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license and vice versa, and a few states combine the two licenses. A fee usually is required to apply for a license, and periodic renewals may be necessary.

Some states have reciprocity agreements that allow licensed barbers and cosmetologists to get a license in another state without needing additional formal training or state board testing, but such agreements are not common. Consequently, people who want to work in a particular state should review the laws of that state before entering a training program.

Important Qualities

Creativity. Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists must keep up with the latest trends and be ready to try new hairstyles for their clients.

Customer-service skills. Workers must be pleasant, friendly, and able to interact with customers in order to retain clients.

Listening skills. Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists should be good listeners. They must listen carefully to what the client wants in order to make sure that the client is happy with the result.

Physical stamina. Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists must be able to stand on their feet for long periods.

Tidiness. Workers must keep a neat personal appearance and keep their work area clean and sanitary. This requirement is necessary for the health and safety of their clients and for making clients comfortable enough so that they will want to return.

Time-management skills. Time-management skills are important in scheduling appointments and providing services. For example, routine haircuts do not require the precise timing of some other services, such as applying neutralizer after a permanent wave. Clients who receive timely hair care are more likely to return.

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Hair Stylist jobs

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Hair Stylist Career Paths

Hair Stylist

Stylist Office Manager

Account Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Home Health Aid Massage Therapist Spa Manager

Spa Director

7 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Licensed Cosmetologist 4.8 years
Hair Salon Manager 4.7 years
Manager Stylist 4.3 years
Cosmetologist 4.3 years
Hair Dresser 3.9 years
Nail Technician 3.7 years
Hair Designer 3.7 years
Hairstylist/Cosmetologist 3.6 years
Beautician 3.1 years
Hair Stylist 3.0 years
Stylist 2.7 years
Stylist Assistant 1.7 years

Top Careers Before Hair Stylist

Top Careers After Hair Stylist

Hair Stylist Demographics

Gender

Female
89.5%
Male
8.5%
Unknown
2.0%

Ethnicity

White
81.0%
Hispanic or Latino
10.8%
Asian
6.4%
Unknown
1.3%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
61.2%
French
9.7%
Japanese
3.9%
Italian
3.4%
Portuguese
2.9%
German
2.4%
Mandarin
1.9%
Korean
1.9%
Cantonese
1.9%
Arabic
1.9%
Yoruba
1.5%
Amharic
1.5%
Swedish
1.0%
Vietnamese
1.0%
Bosnian
1.0%
Russian
1.0%
Samoan
0.5%
Hmong
0.5%
Hindi
0.5%
Hawaiian
0.5%

Hair Stylist

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Hair Stylist Education

Schools

Empire Beauty School
28.9%
Regency Beauty Institute
12.3%
University of Phoenix
11.1%
Paul Mitchell-The School
7.8%
Aveda Institute
5.6%
The Beauty School
3.3%
Ashford University
3.3%
Southern New Hampshire University
2.8%
Liberty University
2.8%
Kaplan University
2.3%
Houston Community College
2.1%
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater
2.1%
The Academy
2.1%
Fullerton College
2.1%
Douglas J Aveda Institute
2.1%
All Beauty College
2.0%
Grand Canyon University
2.0%
Sacramento City College
1.9%
Trident Technical College
1.8%
Strayer University
1.8%

Majors

Degrees

Other
46.0%
License
15.0%
Bachelors
12.1%
Associate
11.8%
Certificate
9.0%
Diploma
3.6%
Masters
2.4%
Doctorate
0.1%

Hair Stylist

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Real Hair Stylist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Hair Stylist/Dresser	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Feb 15, 2010	$50,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Feb 15, 2010	$50,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Mar 01, 2014	$45,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Mar 01, 2010	$45,000 - $50,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Nov 01, 2016	$45,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Aug 20, 2012	$45,000 - $50,000
Hair Stylist	Cutler Soho LLC	New York, NY	Mar 01, 2012	$45,000 - $50,000
Hair Stylist	Pyrametrics LTC Inc., D/B/A John Dellaria Salon	New York, NY	Apr 09, 2008	$40,000
Hair Stylist	Charlie Jeong Hair, LLC	Palisades Park, NJ	Jun 13, 2016	$39,173
Hair Stylist	Mingle New York, Inc.	New York, NY	Nov 20, 2015	$39,042
Senior Hair Stylist	Odonata Ltd	New York, NY	Mar 30, 2016	$39,042
Senior Hair Stylist	Odonata Ltd	New York, NY	Feb 25, 2016	$39,042
Hair Stylist	D&R Vie En Famille, Inc.	San Francisco, CA	Jun 14, 2016	$38,189
Hair Stylist	T & J Gawisori Hair Shop, Inc.	Hoffman Estates, IL	May 10, 2012	$32,700
Hair Stylist	P J & E, Inc.	Niles, IL	Jan 27, 2012	$32,698
Hair Stylist	P J & E, Inc.	Niles, IL	Apr 27, 2011	$32,698
Hair Stylist	Isabelle Goetz	Washington, DC	Oct 14, 2014	$32,552
Hairdressers, Hair-Stylists & Cosmetologists	Kenny's Hair Salon	Arlington, VA	Oct 10, 2008	$32,328
Hair Stylist/Colorist	Eliaho Corp.T/A Amour de Hair	New York, NY	May 17, 2016	$31,949
Hair Stylist	Polaris Hair Studio.LLC	New York, NY	Sep 12, 2012	$31,500
Hair Stylist	Polaris Hair Studio.LLC	New York, NY	Oct 16, 2014	$31,500
Hair Stylist	Ashtin Salon Inc.	Del Mar, CA	May 19, 2016	$27,893
Hair Stylist	Royal Party Corporation	Pasadena, CA	Jul 10, 2016	$27,518
Hair Stylist	Epoch USA Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jul 21, 2016	$27,518
Hair Stylist	International Salon Group, Inc.	Beverly Hills, CA	Nov 21, 2016	$27,518
Hair Stylist	Queenshair	Buena Park, CA	Feb 08, 2016	$27,456
Hair Stylist	Epoch USA Inc.	Los Angeles, CA	Jan 22, 2015	$27,456
Hair Stylist	Brain Group USA, Inc.	Costa Mesa, CA	Apr 20, 2016	$27,456
Hair Stylist	AFM Chicago Venture	Glenview, IL	Nov 04, 2010	$26,915

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Top Skills for A Hair Stylist

Top Hair Stylist Skills

Salon Services
Customer Service Skills
Hair Care Services

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Performed salon services/cuts, colors, perms, styles, waxing and sets.
Provided wide range of hair styling services at full service salon and gained strong customer service skills.
Performed hair care services in a sanitized and safe environment.
Provided complete hair care services, sanitation and sterilization, appointment scheduling
Applied permanent hair color, bleached, and tinted hair using applicator or brush.