How long does it take to become a Stylist?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a stylist. That is the time it takes to learn specific stylist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

What is a stylist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Charley Sain

A stylist is a person who works with clients to create a desired look or image. They use their knowledge of fashion, trends, and personal style to advise clients on clothing, hair, makeup, and accessories. Stylists can work in various industries, including fashion, entertainment, and advertising. They may work with individuals for special events or on a regular basis as personal stylists. Stylists can also work for fashion brands or publications to style photo shoots and runway shows. Overall, the role of a stylist is to help clients present themselves in the best possible way and express their personal style.

What general advice would you give to a stylist?

Charley Sain

Cosmetology Instructor, Program Coordinator for Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Manicuring, Cleveland Community College

My advice to a new professional would be to work hard, continue your education, and never give up. The beauty industry rapidly changes, due to modern technology, so it is imperative to continue your education and continue your professional growth. It is essential to work hard because building a clientele can be challenging, especially during these times. Do not let those challenges get you down; stay focused, and keep your eye on your goals.

ScoreStylistUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $37,985

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.56%

Asian 8.06%

Black or African American 10.91%

Hispanic or Latino 16.95%

Unknown 4.36%

White 59.16%

Gender

female 86.39%

male 13.61%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a stylist?

Pros

Creative and fulfilling work
Ability to express personal style and creativity
Potential for high earning potential through tips and commissions
Flexible scheduling options, including part-time or freelance work
Ability to make a positive impact on clients' self-esteem and confidence

Cons

Physically demanding work
Long hours, including evenings and weekends
Inconsistent income, especially during slow periods or when starting out
Limited job security, as many positions are part-time or freelance
Exposure to chemicals and fumes from hair products can pose health risks

Key steps to become a stylist

Explore stylist education requirements

Most common stylist degrees

Bachelor's

40.2 %

Associate

21.6 %

High School Diploma

18.5 %

Start to develop specific stylist skills

Skills	Percentages
Good Time Management	13.56%
POS	11.46%
Data Entry	8.08%
Excellent Training	7.85%
Safety Standards	7.76%

Complete relevant stylist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New stylists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a stylist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real stylist resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed stylist usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed stylist in most of states. 43 states require stylists to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Specific course required	State exam required	Licensed Cosmetologist
Arkansas	Specific course required	Both state and third-party exams required	Cosmetologist
California	Specific course required	State exam required	Cosmetologist
Colorado	Specific course required	State exam required	Cosmetologist
Connecticut	Specific course required	State exam required	Hairdresser/Cosmetician

Gain additional stylist certifications

Stylist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific stylist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for stylists include Certified Sales Professional (CSP) and Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM).

More About Certifications

Research stylist duties and responsibilities

Manage salon, payroll, purchasing and inventory utilizing corporate policies.
Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
Perform general receptionist tasks such as answering phones, using POS system, handling money transactions, and scheduling appointments.
Create personal``Lookbooks"for clients through social media.

Prepare your stylist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your stylist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a stylist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable stylist resume templates

Build a professional stylist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your stylist resume.

Apply for stylist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a stylist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do stylists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Stylist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

I like the satisfaction of doing someone’s hair and they love it.

Cons

Working all weekends, being in tons of social interactions a day, high stress situations, work comes home with you, getting criticism online, lots of disinfection and cleaning, lots of interaction with coworkers. Some days at work I want To go hide in the bathroom to avoid anymore social interaction and stress from dealing with the public all day.

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019

Pros

•talking n building relationships w awesome people • doing art everyday and learning mastering my craft •not sitting all day with tons of freedom to express myself through unconventional fashion and hairstyles •feeling like i have something to offer that makes people feel happy about themselves •having having clientele that is loyal

Cons

•pay is not what i expected nor is my passion as lucrative as i thought it would be. •feels less like an artist and more like an unskilled service worker or like I'm the 'help' •working weekends and holidays

What is a stylist and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a stylist?

What are the pros and cons of being a stylist?

Stylist career paths

Key steps to become a stylist

Explore stylist education requirements

Most common stylist degrees

Start to develop specific stylist skills

Complete relevant stylist training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Gain additional stylist certifications

Research stylist duties and responsibilities

Prepare your stylist resume

Choose from 10+ customizable stylist resume templates

Apply for stylist jobs

How did you land your first stylist job

Average stylist salary

How do stylists rate their job?

Stylist reviews

Stylist FAQs

How long does it take to become a Stylist?

Search for stylist jobs

Stylist jobs by state