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Career Exploration

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Also called: Cosmetologist, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Hairstylist

What they do:

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

On the job, you would:
  • Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
  • Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • sales and marketing

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • create new and original ideas
  • come up with lots of ideas

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Video creation and editing software

  • YouTube

Accounting software

  • Intuit QuickBooks

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $33,290

Education

Certificate after high school or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.