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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Also called: Cosmetologist, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Stylist

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.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$35,790
Openings a year BLS, 2025–3573,400
Typical education to start BLSPostsecondary nondegree award
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 Moderate
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 +7.7%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 2 of its 20 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 7.7% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 2.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.7 hires for every 10 job openings in other services, which employs about 88% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 4% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$26k$60knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$29,150$23,610 to $37,2303,300
Alaska$32,150$31,990 to $54,850330
Arizona$36,810$34,250 to $45,5207,840
Arkansas$28,830$24,410 to $33,7301,410
California$38,660$36,600 to $49,03027,080
Colorado$37,690$35,330 to $59,7106,820
Connecticut$44,620$34,310 to $59,7904,090
Delaware$34,350$31,200 to $46,9701,270
District of Columbia$54,570$45,250 to $77,620870
Florida$29,530$28,340 to $35,09023,530
Georgia$34,560$24,810 to $48,7307,910
Guam$29,500$27,840 to $33,690170
Hawaii$35,040$29,650 to $56,360930
Idaho$35,480$27,470 to $37,7102,250
Illinois$34,040$31,200 to $41,11013,190
Indiana$32,830$27,980 to $44,9105,920
Iowa$35,700$29,670 to $48,5802,930
Kansas$29,710$26,690 to $48,0102,190
Kentucky$29,840$26,730 to $42,2202,350
Louisiana$26,030$23,060 to $29,5302,720
Maine$44,000$37,000 to $61,860970
Maryland$36,420$32,710 to $47,5905,860
Massachusetts$37,290$34,930 to $60,3409,600
Michigan$34,820$28,870 to $60,5908,970
Minnesota$39,170$34,620 to $59,3005,320
Mississippi$27,560$23,990 to $39,8101,040
Missouri$30,750$29,350 to $38,1305,430
Montana$38,000$24,270 to $59,900690
Nebraska$34,320$30,360 to $49,8701,890
Nevada$33,840$29,400 to $37,5601,940
New Hampshire$34,650$28,490 to $46,4501,950
New Jersey$36,150$33,630 to $53,58015,500
New Mexico$37,750$28,810 to $46,2401,230
New York$35,760$34,580 to $58,32020,740
North Carolina$38,410$29,270 to $48,3008,490
North Dakota$34,850$30,510 to $53,480870
Ohio$36,260$28,030 to $57,84012,890
Oklahoma$29,650$23,070 to $44,2601,920
Oregon$57,580$38,640 to $64,7401,860
Pennsylvania$36,790$29,050 to $55,36019,350
Puerto Rico$22,090$21,840 to $22,910960
Rhode Island$31,200$31,200 to $32,9501,470
South Carolina$33,700$27,410 to $56,7703,570
South Dakota$49,800$42,870 to $56,200690
Tennessee$31,310$28,820 to $39,9906,080
Texas$30,680$28,270 to $47,18022,440
Utah$35,140$28,540 to $51,1302,810
Vermont$48,650$35,870 to $60,860440
Virginianot publishednot published10,200
Washington$59,510$46,280 to $73,5406,930
West Virginia$34,480$28,710 to $46,3401,020
Wisconsin$36,230$29,470 to $47,0606,260
Wyoming$29,170$25,730 to $36,500360

Nationally: $35,790. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 2 of its 20 tasks

0 · AI alone could halve the time 2 · AI + software built on it could 18 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
Not much Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs. Not published
Not much Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles. 0.01%
AI + software Schedule client appointments. under 0.01%
Not much Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush. Not published
AI + software Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided. under 0.01%
Not much Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions. Not published
See all 20 tasks
Not much Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair. Not published
Not much Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors. Not published
Not much Develop new styles and techniques. Not published
Not much Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style. Not published
Not much Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment. Not published
Not much Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics. Not published
Not much Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches. Not published
Not much Order, display, and maintain supplies. Not published
Not much Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons. Not published
Not much Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax. Not published
Not much Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants. Not published
Not much Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions. Not published
Not much Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance. 0.01%
Not much Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 4 of the 20 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 20 tasks fall under 18 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up2 of 20 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most2 of 18 activities
  • #16 Create artistic designs or performances
  • #36 Purchase goods or services
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Groom or style hair 0.87#244 0.09#273
Apply hygienic or cosmetic agents to skin or hair 2.54#180 0.24#238
Advise patients or clients on medical issues 5.25#124 13#58
Create artistic designs or performances 116#16 63#24
Purchase goods or services 47#36 0.39#220
Promote products, services, or programs 14#72 85#20
Execute financial transactions 9.32#95 0.16#253
Arrange displays or decorations 7.56#107 2.61#120
Show all 18 activities
Schedule appointments 4.62#132 1.13#160
Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas 3.36#158 1.16#157
Maintain operational records 2.92#170 0.49#209
Sell products or services 2.58#178 2.08#129
Evaluate patient or client condition or treatment options 2.36#185 0.41#219
Administer basic health care or medical treatments 2.11#195 0.05#281
Train others on operational or work procedures 1.60#211 29#38
Train others to use equipment or products 1.26#225 20#47
Administer therapeutic treatments 0.89#242 0.05#280
Supervise personnel activities 0.56#266 0.05#283
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
Where the two sources differ: “Maintain operational records” holds 1 task rated AI + software, yet people asked AI for help with it in 2.92 of every 10,000 conversations, #170 of 332.

How people in this work use Claude

What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations

  • Advice or a recommendation69%
  • An explanation or answer11%
  • An analysis or summary4%
  • A plan or strategy2%
  • A document or report2%

How they worked with Claude

44% handed the task off56% worked on it together

5% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.

How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: +7.7%Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: +7.7%Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 47,299 moves out

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  2. 2 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 4%
  3. 3 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 4%
  4. 4 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 4%
  5. 5 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 3%

Where people moved in from

of 34,582 moves in

  1. 1 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 6%
  2. 2 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 6%
  3. 3 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 3%
  4. 4 Cashiers High -6.5% 3%
  5. 5 Waiters and Waitresses Moderate +2.0% 3%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 7% less than high school
  • 45% high school
  • 29% some college
  • 13% associate's
  • 6% bachelor's
  • 1% master's

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 7,647 people surveyed.

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
8 programs, such as Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General, Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician and Make-Up Artist/Specialist.
See all
  • Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General
  • Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician
  • Make-Up Artist/Specialist
  • Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design
  • Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing
  • Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager
  • Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor
  • Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

>99.5% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a license>99.5%19.1%
an educational certificate47.3%2.8%
a certificationnot published

Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

  • Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
  • Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
  • License Finder ↗ licenses by state
  • Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 3 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (COSMETOLOGIST; HAIR STYLIST (Existing Title: Cosmetologist); HAIR STYLIST (Existing Title:  Cosmetologist)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists” there.

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

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