Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 569,600 people employed as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the United States. The median annual salary is $27,400. Entry level employees earn approximately $18,840 per year and senior employees earn approximately $53,410 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
• Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
• Order, display, and maintain supplies.
• Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.
• Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
• Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
• Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
• Schedule client appointments.
• Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
• Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
• Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
• Clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails, using files and nail polish.
• Apply artificial fingernails.
• Give facials to patrons, using special compounds, such as lotions and creams.
• Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs.
• Develop new styles and techniques.
• Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair.
• Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.
• Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches.
• Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants.
• Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
• Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions.
• Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance.

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