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Hair stylist vs hair dresser

The differences between hair stylists and hair dressers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a hair stylist and a hair dresser. Additionally, a hair stylist has an average salary of $38,221, which is higher than the $36,852 average annual salary of a hair dresser.

The top three skills for a hair stylist include cosmetology, clips and kids. The most important skills for a hair dresser are appointment scheduling, customer service, and product sales.

Hair stylist vs hair dresser overview

Hair StylistHair Dresser
Yearly salary$38,221$36,852
Hourly rate$18.38$17.72
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs49,57842,777
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a hair stylist do?

A Hair Stylist's role is to provide services such as haircuts, treatments, coloring, styling, and even maintenance. Most of the time, the clients choose which style or treatment they would prefer, which is why a Hair Stylist must have extensive knowledge and keep up the current trends in Hair Styling. Moreover, a Hair Stylist can also recommend styling and treatments that would suit the client, even sell Hair Care products. Aside from providing quality service, it is also essential for a Hair Stylist to build rapport with clients to ensure customer satisfaction and have a robust client base.

What does a hair dresser do?

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. You may also be required to educate clients on healthy hair practices on hair and scalp care.

Hair stylist vs hair dresser salary

Hair stylists and hair dressers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hair StylistHair Dresser
Average salary$38,221$36,852
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $25,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityScottsdale, AZ-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying company--
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between hair stylist and hair dresser education

There are a few differences between a hair stylist and a hair dresser in terms of educational background:

Hair StylistHair Dresser
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Hair stylist vs hair dresser demographics

Here are the differences between hair stylists' and hair dressers' demographics:

Hair StylistHair Dresser
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 6.1% Female, 93.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between hair stylist and hair dresser duties and responsibilities

Hair stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
  • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
  • Commission stylist, assist other stylists as well as cleaning and greeting guests.
  • Work extremely quickly and efficiently as a hairstylist to reach sales and productivity goals while maintaining exceptional customer service
  • Bleach, dye, or tint, using applicator or brush.
  • Specialize in braids, sew-ins, glue-ins, dreads, wraps, twist, and curls.
  • Show more

Hair dresser example responsibilities.

  • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
  • Shampoo, style and color hair as well as advise clients about wigs.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair.
  • Assist in hair and make-up.
  • Apply make-up and cosmetics on clients.
  • Shape eyebrows using tweezers, creams.
  • Show more

Hair stylist vs hair dresser skills

Common hair stylist skills
  • Cosmetology, 31%
  • Clips, 20%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Makeup, 6%
  • Retail Sales, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common hair dresser skills
  • Appointment Scheduling, 28%
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Product Sales, 8%
  • Curling Irons, 6%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Skin Care, 6%

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