Barber, Hairstylist & Cosmetologist
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.
What the job is
- The work
- Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.
BLS
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work mostly in barbershops or salons. Most are full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.
BLS
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Creative, people-friendly workers who like hands-on styling and can stand for long shifts.
- Career cluster
- Healthcare & Human Services
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists).
- Median pay
- $35,880 a year ($17.25 an hour)
BLS
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 670,800
- Typical entry
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +7%, which BLS calls "much faster than average"
BLS
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +48,400 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- All states require barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to be licensed. To qualify for a license, candidates typically must graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and pass an exam.
BLS
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- All states require barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists to be licensed. Candidates typically graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and pass a state exam (written, and in many states practical). Required hours, minimum age and exams differ by state.
- License
- State barbering and cosmetology boards. Cosmetology & barber license steps
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaLicense rules
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaLicense rules
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkLicense rules
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaLicense rules
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasLicense rules
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Barber or cosmetologist: a state-approved program (900 to 1,200 hours in the four states shown), the state exam, a state license
See the roadmap
Route 1: State-approved school → state exam → license · Route 2: Registered Apprenticeship (where the state accepts it)
More careers in Healthcare & Human Services
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.