Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services. The role reports a median annual salary of $35,250 in the US and is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Postsecondary nondegree award, and shows low AI exposure (0.26 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking, Active Learning.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £24,124 a year for Beauticians and related occupations (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 6222). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Service and sales workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 5. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification ITI Cosmetology trade (1 year after Class 10), leading to the National Trade Certificate[1]
- 2 · First role Hair stylist or beautician in a salon[1]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- DGT — Cosmetology CTS curriculum (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Administrative
- Personnel and Human Resources
A day in the life
You arrive at the salon, sanitise your tools and check the day's bookings on the appointment system. Your first client wants a fresh cut, so you study her face shape and hair type, suggest a style and cut and shape it carefully. Next is a colour appointment: you mix dye, apply it section by section and time the process while chatting with the client. During a quiet moment you update records of what each client had done and restock shampoos and treatments. After lunch you style hair for a wedding party, working quickly to keep everyone on schedule. You also recommend hair care products to clients who ask how to keep their colour bright. Late in the day you clean your station and plan tomorrow's appointments. Standing for hours and handling chemicals can be tiring, but seeing clients smile at their reflection makes the work feel creative and rewarding.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists do?
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.
What does a typical day look like in Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
You arrive at the salon, sanitise your tools and check the day's bookings on the appointment system. Your first client wants a fresh cut, so you study her face shape and hair type, suggest a style and cut and shape it carefully. Next is a colour appointment: you mix dye, apply it section by section and time the process while chatting with the client. During a quiet moment you update records of what each client had done and restock shampoos and treatments.
How much does Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn?
The median annual salary for Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the US is $35,250.
What is the job outlook for Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
The role is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 575,200 workers.
How do I become hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
The typical entry education is a Postsecondary nondegree award. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Our AI-durability model gives Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists a score of 0.26 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.