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Hairdresser
Hairstylist, barber
Hairdressers and barbers cut, shave, colour and style customers' hair.
Average salary (a year)
£19500
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
on a rota
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You could get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
College
You could take a college course that will give you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to start in this career.
Courses include
hairdressing, barbering, women's and men's hairdressing
You may be able to combine these courses with other subjects like make-up and nails.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    Apprenticeship
    You could do an apprenticeship to get into this job, for example
    Hairdressing Professional Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Barbering Professional Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Creative Hair Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
    These apprenticeships can take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
    Entry requirements
    You'll usually need:
    • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
    • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
    More Information
    equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
    guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
    Work
    You might be able to start work as a trainee hairdresser or barber and learn on the job.
    Your employer would expect you to take a part-time course to get qualifications, either at a college or in their own training school.
    You may also be able to work freelance and rent space in a salon or barbershop, though you'll usually have to supply your own equipment.
    More Information
    Career Tips
    If your aim is to manage or open your own salon or barbershop, it may help to get some business qualifications alongside hairdressing experience.
    Further Information
    You can find out more about careers in hairdressing and barbering from the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) and National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF).
    What it takes
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    Skills and knowledge
    You'll need:
      Customer service skills
      To be thorough and pay attention to detail
      The ability to work well with your hands
      Active listening skills
      Excellent verbal communication skills
      The ability to work on your own
      To be flexible and open to change
      The ability to learn through your work
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    As a hairdresser or barber you could
    talk to customers and discuss styling ideas, wash, cut and style hair, apply colours, tints, braids and hair extensions, trim and shape beards and moustaches, finish jobs using hair products, order stock, take payments and make appointments
    Working environment
    You could work in a salon, at a client's home, at a health spa, at an adult care home, on a cruise ship or in a barbershop.
    Your working environment may be physically active.
    Career Path & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    With experience, you could
    become a senior stylist, barber or salon manager, open your own salon or barbershop, get qualified to train or assess student hairdressers or barbers, work freelance and rent space in a salon, use your skills as a hair professional in the theatre, film or television industry
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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