What They 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 76,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of barbers were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 76% |
| Personal care services | 23 |
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held about 575,200 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 48% |
| Personal care services | 46 |
| Retail trade | 5 |
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.
How to Become One
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.
Pay
The median hourly wage for barbers was $18.73 in May 2024.
The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $16.95 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 84,200 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.