Hairdressers are trained professionals that deliver a range of services including colouring, cutting and styling of the hair. They also recommend treatments and products to maintain the health of the hair and offer styling tips based on the client’s needs.
40hweek
Full Time
Nights and weekends occasionally
Most hairdressers work for a hair salon. Others are self-employed and work on a freelance basis, usually offering home services.
As a hairdresser, you’ll be expected to work long hours including weekend work. You may also be required to travel to clients’s homes to offer your services.
$18k
$25k
$50k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
High school
DVM / VMD degree
12months
To become a hairdresser, you must complete a college-accredited hairdressing programme, which can take up to a year to complete. Alongside your certification, you must also partake in hands-on shop experience working alongside an experienced hairdresser. Certain states also require continuing education credits that can be offered in the form of courses.
8%
57.8k
11%
Many hairdressers progress to set up their own hair salon or become a partner in an existing one. Others choose to move into teaching and training development by offering hairdressing courses.
You could also specialise in a certain type of hairstyling and focus on a niche in the industry. For example, you could focus on just bridal or theatrical hair and build up clientele for specific services.