Hairstylists have a range of duties and responsibilities, from shampooing clients to cutting, coloring and styling their hair. Young stylists often work alongside more experienced professionals so that they can learn the skills necessary for this job. Hairstylist salaries vary based on factors such as where you work and how long you’ve been in the industry. On average hairstylists earn between $25,000 and $50,000 annually in the US
Salary for Hairstylists (Hairdressers) vary according to location, experience and qualifications. According to Career Engine, the average salary for entry-level stylists is $22,000 per year with an average work week of 36 hours. For example, the state of California requires a license to become a hairstylist and while the license costs $116 it can take up to a year before you can practice your trade. The School Piping Hot Beauty School in San Diego offers students a cosmetology training program; this includes instruction on skin care, hair design, nail care and more. A 12-week course costs around $2,000.
Starting Salary For Hairstylist Overview
Hair stylist salary is a very important factor in deciding whether or not you want to become a hair stylist. You will be working with people’s hair, so you need to be sure that you are going to be paid fairly for your work.
The first thing you should do is figure out how much money you can make as a hair stylist. You can do this by looking at the average salary for hairdressers in your area and by looking at how much other self-employed hairdressers earn per month or hour.
You should also consider what type of clientele you would like to work with. For example, if you want to work with celebrities and performers then your salary may be higher than if you wanted to work with regular customers who don’t have high paying jobs like those mentioned above.
What is a Hair Stylist?
Although the monetary compensation can be modest, a job as a hair stylist may be a good choice for those who enjoy working with their hands, conversing with clients and following fashion. As a hair stylist you will inspect, wash and dry clients’ hair and scalp. Based on your inspection you will recommend different hair and scalp products. Hair services you may provide include coloring, cutting and texture changing. You may discuss any of these with clients to help them determine what services they’d like. The following chart gives more information about hair styling as a career.
What Salary Can Hair Stylists Earn?
According to May 2020 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in the category of hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists was $32,740 (www.bls.gov). The median salary was $27,380 and the middle range was $21,520 to $37,970. The bottom 10% earned $18,840 or less and the top 90% earned $53,410 or more.
The highest average salary, at $90,600, was paid to hair stylists in performing arts companies, according to the BLS. However, this industry accounted for only about 130 workers. More typical was the average of $33,680 paid to the approximately 240,920 workers in personal care services. Health and personal care store stylists, comprising about 8,450 workers, and technical and trade school stylists (240 workers), were below the national average at $30,620 and $28,810 respectively.
Salaries varied somewhat by geography. In the top five states, hair stylists in Massachusetts earned an average salary of $46,310 in 2020 and those in the Washington earned $45,260 on average. In comparison, those in District of Columbia earned $42,270, while those in Colorado earned $40,420 in 2020. Finally, hair stylists in New Jersey earned $39,160.
Where Do Professionals Work?
Hair salons, spas, department stores, employment services and nursing homes are some of the businesses where you are most likely to find a job. You could also lease chair space at a salon or open your own business. The BLS reported the number of people employed as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was projected to increase 19%, from around 569,600 in 2020 to about 680,100 by 2030.
What Will My Job Duties Be?
Cutting, styling, bleaching, dyeing and tinting the hair of your clients will be your main duties. You might also shampoo their hair if shampooers are not employed on the premises. The client may give you styling directions or leave them to your discretion, in which case you will analyze the shape and proportion of their face, head and neck to choose or invent something compatible. During or after styling sessions you might recommend hair care products.
Other duties are clerical or not directly related to styling. For example, you might have to set appointments and work a cash register to accept payments. You will always be responsible for keeping your work area and equipment clean and sanitary. Ordering supplies, keeping tax records and promoting your services will be among your duties if you’re self-employed
Entry-Level Hourly Salary for a Hairdresser
If you have an eye for style and love working with your hands, you may make a good hairdresser. In this field, you work directly with clients and help them achieve the look they’re after by cutting, dyeing and styling their hair. This role is great for those who have social personalities and like working with new customers on a daily basis.
Hairdresser Education Requirements
In order to become a hairdresser, you have to have a valid license to practice. You will need to attend a barber or cosmetology school that is approved by your state, and then take the required courses to receive your certificate. In order to qualify for your state-approved hairdresser license, you must be over 16 years old, have a high school diploma and have graduated from a barber or cosmetology program. In addition, you will need to pass a written test and a practical test. Some hairdressers also take advanced courses in style to keep up with the changing trends, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median hourly hairdresser salary in May 2018 was $14.50. An entry-level hairdresser likely made closer to the lowest 10 percent, which was $9.76, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Indeed, the hairstylist hourly pay was $7.56 for entry-level workers in August 2020. The hairstylist minimum wage also depends on the area where you practice. For example, in New York, NY, you can make $22.09 per hour, while in San Antonio, TX, you can make $7.21.