A hairdresser, hairstylist, or cosmetologist cuts, colors, and styles hair while building relationships with clients. The work is hands-on, client-focused, and you can enter the field with a certificate. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You work directly with clients to cut, color, and style their hair based on their preferences and face shape. You listen carefully to what clients want, explain your recommendations, and help them feel comfortable in the chair. Beyond hair, you may provide scalp treatments, advise clients on hair care products, and suggest styles that suit them. You stay current with trends and techniques, manage your client relationships to build loyalty, and handle the business side of your work, from scheduling to sales. The role requires creativity, attention to detail, and genuine care for your clients' satisfaction.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median of $35,790 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 75,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most states require you to complete a certificate program in cosmetology or hairstyling, which typically covers hair cutting, coloring, chemical treatments, and salon business practices. Programs combine classroom learning in chemistry and customer service with hands-on practice. You will also need to pass a licensing exam that tests your knowledge and practical skills. Some people start as salon assistants while completing their certificate, which gives you real-world experience alongside your training. Once licensed, you can work in salons, spas, or build your own clientele.
Your path typically starts with a cosmetology or hairstyling certificate program and a state licensing exam. If you are deciding between different programs or want to map out your next steps, Pathly can map the hairdresser, hairstylist, and cosmetologist path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right fit for your timeline and goals.
You do not need a license to work as a hairdresser, hairstylist, and cosmetologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You enjoy hands-on work, building client relationships, and solving practical problems. You are creative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working directly with people to deliver results they value.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).