Barber, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
Barber, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
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What Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Do
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.
Duties
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically do the following:
- Inspect and analyze hair, scalp, and skin to recommend services or treatment
- Discuss hairstyle options
- Shampoo, color, lighten, and condition hair
- Chemically change hair texture
- Cut, dry, and style hair
- Trim facial hair
- Receive payments from client
- Clean and disinfect all tools and work areas
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide hair and other services to enhance clients’ appearance. Common tools may include combs and hairbrushes, clippers and scissors, straight razors, blow dryers, and curling and flat irons. They also may keep records of products used and services provided to clients, such as hair color, hair treatment, and clipper setting.
Those who operate their own barbershop or salon have managerial duties that may include hiring, supervising, and firing workers. They also may keep business and inventory records, order supplies, and arrange for advertising.
Barbers shampoo, cut, and style hair, mostly for male clients. They also may fit hairpieces, provide facials, trim beards and mustaches, and offer facial and head shaving. Depending on the state in which they work, some barbers are licensed to bleach, color, and highlight hair and to offer permanent-wave services.
Hairstylists and cosmetologists offer a wide range of hair services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling. They often provide consultation and advise clients on how to care for their hair at home. Some also clean and style wigs and hairpieces.
Hairstylists and cosmetologists also provide facial and scalp treatments, makeup analysis, and skincare and nail services. In addition, some recommend hair care or skincare products. For more information about workers who specialize in skincare treatment or in fingernail and toenail services, see the profiles for skincare specialists or manicurists and pedicurists, respectively.
Work Environment
Barbers held about 63,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of barbers were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 79% |
| Personal care services | 20 |
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held about 555,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists were as follows:
| Personal care services | 48% |
| Self-employed workers | 46 |
| Retail trade | 4 |
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work mostly in barbershops or salons, although some work in spas, hotels, or resorts. Some lease booth space from a salon owner. Others manage salons or open their own shop after several years of gaining experience.
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists usually work in pleasant surroundings with good lighting. Physical stamina is important because they are on their feet for most of their shift. Prolonged exposure to some chemicals may cause skin irritation, so they often wear protective clothing, such as disposable gloves or aprons.
Work Schedules
Most barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends—times when barbershops and beauty salons may be busiest. Those who are self-employed and operate their own barbershop or salon may have long workdays, but they usually determine their own schedules.
Getting Started
How to Become a Barber, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist
All states require barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to be licensed. To qualify for a license, candidates typically must graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and pass an exam.
Education
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists usually must complete a state-approved barber or cosmetology program. Admission to these programs varies by state, with some requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Programs typically involve a mix of classroom studies and hands-on training and lead to a certificate or other postsecondary nondegree award. Some states require health and safety training as part of these programs.
Workers may continue to take advanced courses in hairstyling or in other personal appearance services throughout their careers to keep up with the latest trends. Those who want to open their own business also may benefit from taking courses in sales and marketing.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must obtain a license in order to work. Qualifications for a license vary by state. Generally, a person must meet state-specified minimum age requirements, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school.
After completing a state-approved training program, graduates 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 or vice versa, and a few states combine the two licenses. A fee usually is required to apply for a license, and continuing education units (CEUs) may be required with periodic license renewals.
State reciprocity agreements may allow licensed barbers and cosmetologists to get a license in another state without needing additional formal training or state board testing. Contact your state licensing agency for details.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 89,400 openings for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
The need for barbers and hairdressers will stem primarily from demand for basic hair care services. In addition, an increased demand for hair coloring, hair straightening, and other advanced hair treatments is expected to continue over the projections decade.
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists will continue to compete with providers of specialized services, such as nail and skin care. Consumers often choose manicurists and pedicurists and skincare specialists for these services, rather than to visit hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists for them. Still, employment is expected to grow to meet increased demand for personal appearance services.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including education programs and state licensing, visit
American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA)
National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
For information about other professional links, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Manicurists and Pedicurists |
Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $31,130 |
|
Skincare Specialists |
Skincare specialists provide cleansing and other face and body treatments to enhance a person’s appearance. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $38,060 |