Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
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. PayThe median hourly wage for barbers was $18.37 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 80,300 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median hourly wage for barbers was $18.37 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 80,300 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 80,300 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.
Work Environment
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work mostly in barbershops or salons. Most are full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.
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.
Pay
The median hourly wage for barbers was $18.37 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 80,300 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work mostly in barbershops or salons. Most are full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.
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.
Pay
The median hourly wage for barbers was $18.37 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 80,300 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Certificates & Training
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.