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.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
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
How to Become a Barber, Hairstylist, or Cosmetologist Workers must obtain a license through a state-approved barber, hairstyling, or cosmetology program. 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 & 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.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
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. 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. Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Personal appearance workers 8% Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists 8% Barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists 7% Barbers 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
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
Work Environment
Barbers held about 75,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of barbers were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 80% |
| Personal care services | 20 |
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held about 595,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 48% |
| Personal care services | 45 |
| 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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Creativity. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must keep up with the latest trends and be ready to try new hairstyles for their clients. Customer-service skills. Workers must be friendly, pleasant, and able to interact with clients to build and retain clientele. Listening skills. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must be attentive when clients describe what they want to ensure satisfaction with the result. Physical stamina. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must be able to stand for long periods. Tidiness. Workers must keep their work area clean and sanitary for the health and safety of their clients. They also must keep a neat personal appearance so that clients feel comfortable and want to return. Time-management skills. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists need to manage their time efficiently when scheduling appointments and providing services. Clients who receive timely hair care are more likely to return, and some services, such as hair coloring, require precise timing.
More Information
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.
Take the Next Step
Explore Certificates & Training
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
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.