How to Become a Hair Stylist: Requirements & How Long It Takes

If you’re fantasizing about a hairstyling career, you probably already have some idea of what a hair stylist is and what they do. But there are finer details you may need ironed out.

For example, is a hair stylist the same thing as a hairdresser or cosmetician? What about a cosmetologist or hair technician? The answer really depends on who you ask. Many salons use terms like these interchangeably. However, as a rule of thumb, a hair stylist focuses on the “style” portion of the job.

Below are examples of typical tasks you can expect to do on the job as a professional hair stylist:

• Cutting hair
• Applying shampoo, conditioner, and other haircare products
• Drying and styling hair
• Bleaching and coloring hair
• Applying chemical hair treatments
• Trimming or removing facial hair
• Consulting with clients to understand their needs and desires
• Giving professional advice on treatment options
• Disinfecting hairstyling tools
• Cleaning the work area between appointments
• Recommending haircare tools and products

Hair stylists use a range of products, methods, and tools to complete these tasks, including professional coloring techniques and products as well as consumer-grade tools like straighteners or blow dryers.

Because “style” elements are such a major focus of the job, hair stylists must stay informed about the latest hairstyle and beauty trends within the industry so they can best anticipate their clients’ needs and show them how they can achieve the same looks they’re currently seeing all over social media or the red carpet.

Types of hairstyling

Not all hair stylists offer the same services. While there are countless niches you could explore, the list below offers some of the most common hairstyling specialties:

• Coloring
• Men’s cuts
• Women’s cuts
• Hair extensions
• Men’s grooming
• Hair treatments
• Textured hair styling
• Chemical straightening or curling
• Hair design and updos
• Wig styling

We spoke to one professional hair stylist, Natalie Wilson Nadeau, who specializes in corrective and multidimensional coloring. She said that niching down as a hair stylist and getting specialty training is what fuels a hair stylist’s passion for the craft and motivation to learn.

“I think it’s crucial to try all the different things so you can find out what your true niche is,” she said. “That is how you find your tribe.”

To be a professional hair stylist, you generally need to be at least 16–18 years old and meet a combination of education, skill, and licensing requirements. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to become a hairdresser.

Licensing requirements

All states require hair stylists and barbers to get a license, which involves taking a state-approved program and passing an exam. 1 This is the toughest requirement for most people to meet. Why do you need a license? Well, think about it.

If just anyone could open up a salon and claim they can style hair, you’d likely end up with quite a few angry customers who realized all too late that their hairdressers actually couldn’t style hair. Licensing requirements help protect consumers by ensuring that anyone who claims to be a hair stylist is qualified to do their job and has the necessary skills.

Education requirements

Exactly what education is needed to become a hair stylist varies from one state to the next. To apply to a cosmetology program, you typically need a high school diploma or GED.

In some states, however, you can become a hair stylist without going to school at all by enrolling in an apprenticeship instead. In this case, you’re substituting hairstyling school with on-the-job training.

Skill requirements

Becoming a talented and in-demand hair stylist isn’t just about knowing how to cut, color, and style hair. Yes, you’ll need these technical skills, but you’ll also need a large number of other skills for hairstyling:

• Communication skills
• Dexterity with your hands
• Active listening skills
• Flexibility
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Time management skills
• Patience
• Customer service skills
• Physical endurance
• Cleaning skills

Hairstyling is an incredibly multifaceted role that also requires other informal skills beyond the realm of hair. Nadeau says you’ll also need to be able to play the roles of photographer, social media marketing expert, manager, receptionist, and therapist.

In particular, she highlighted social media skills as one of the most important skill sets for hair stylists. Leveraging social media, she says, is the secret to having “a never-ending stream of clients knocking at your door.”

Additionally, if you plan to open your own salon or run your own hairstyling business, you’ll need to develop further skills, such as business management, administration, and marketing skills. You’ll also need team management skills if you plan on hiring other hair stylists to work for you.

According to Nadeau, you can get licensed and qualified as a hair stylist in under 1 year if you’re willing to study full-time to clock in the required 1,000–1,500 hours of training. However, if you’re eager to start hairstyling ASAP, you may be able to skip hairdresser school and start working as a hair stylist right away by instead signing up for an apprenticeship program at an approved training salon.

These are the quickest ways to become a hair stylist, but timelines can vary. To give you an idea of how long it usually takes for hair stylists to get qualified, one survey found that 65% of cosmetology students were able to complete 1,000 hours of training within 2 years. 2

This lines up with Nadeau’s own experience. She got licensed in Massachusetts, where you need to undergo 1,000 hours of mandatory training. Although she would’ve completed her course in 9 months studying full-time, she opted for night school instead so she could work during the day. Even then, she managed to complete her course and get licensed in under 2 years.

While an apprenticeship would allow you to start hairstyling immediately, it’ll take longer to get fully licensed. Ultimately, how long it will take you to become a hair stylist depends on the training route you take and how much time you can commit to getting qualified.

So, do you think that a career as a professional hair stylist is in your future? If so, here’s how to get started.

1. Know your state’s requirements

As mentioned, every state has their own requirements for obtaining the cosmetology license necessary for becoming a hair stylist. Some states require you to clock in a certain number of classroom hours at a reputable institution, whereas others allow you to opt for an approved apprenticeship program instead.

The first thing you’ll need to do is become familiar with your state’s requirements. This is the only way to ensure that you’re taking the right next steps.

2. Get the right training

Once you’ve checked your state’s requirements, sign up for an approved training program or apprenticeship. After your training, your state may further require you to pass an exam demonstrating your knowledge.

As an alternative to traditional schooling, you could choose to sign up for an apprenticeship. This is a more hands-on training approach, and it has the benefit of allowing you to actually earn money while you learn about hairstyling.

3. Get your hairstyling license

Once you’ve met your state’s licensing requirements, it’s time to apply for that license. Just as these requirements differ by state, so does the application process. Check your state government website to find out the exact steps you need to take.

For example, let’s say you completed your training in New York State. To apply for a cosmetology license, you must be at least 17 years old, show proof of 1,000 hours of study, pass a licensing exam (including a written exam and practical exam), submit a recent health certification, complete a course on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, and pay an application fee. 3

4. Practice, practice, practice

While it’s not always obligatory, practical experience is hugely important for hair stylists, and that’s why so many states require or accept proof of an apprenticeship as part of your training for your cosmetology license.

Real-world experience in hairstyling teaches you so much that you just can’t learn in a classroom setting. As you apply hairstyling techniques to real people, you’ll get the chance to practice soft skills, such as communication, active listening, troubleshooting, customer service, and more.

The best way to get practice? If you don’t want to undertake a full apprenticeship program, consider reaching out to experienced hair stylists in your area for mentorship opportunities. You may also consider getting an initial role as a hair stylist’s assistant.

For this route, Nadeau stressed the importance of choosing the right setting for your practical experience. “Find a person and a salon that is a good fit. Someone you look up to that is also a good teacher,” she said. “You want to interview the salon as well to make sure they’re on the same page as you and your goals.”

5. Create a resume and portfolio

Once you’re ready to embark on your new career as a hair stylist, compile a comprehensive resume and portfolio to help you put your best foot forward as you apply for your first role at a salon or similar establishment.

Make sure your hair stylist resume includes information on your training and education as well as any special achievements. Additionally, include information on the various styles or skills that you consider your specialties or areas of expertise.

Your hairstyling portfolio should include ample photos of your work. It’s alright if the only photos you have are from cosmetology school or friends or family you’ve practiced on. The point is being able to show employers concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Lastly, don’t overlook the quality of your photos, which can have a huge impact on how your portfolio is perceived. “You have got to learn how to take amazing photos of hair. Lighting and finish work can change everything,” Nadeau said. If you have a friend who’s a professional resume writer, it may be worth it to ask them to review your resume before you send it out.

As a trained hair stylist, you can either work in a salon or become a freelancer and start your own business. Nadeau has tried both options, and she pointed out that running your own business gives you full freedom to set all the rules in terms of the services you offer, the products you use, your schedule, and your prices. The catch is that you’ll need to learn how to handle business processes like bookkeeping and scheduling.

Many hair stylists, Nadeau included, start off with employee jobs at hair salons and eventually start freelancing and establishing their own hairstyling businesses. This way, you get the chance to build the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed on your own.

“I fell under somebody that ended up being a great mentor and taught me a lot about color techniques,” Nadeau said about one of her salon jobs. “I feel like this when I truly became a hairstylist.”

She first cut her teeth by working at a salon chain in a mall where she was able to get a steady stream of clients. After working a couple of salon jobs, she’d made a name for herself and drummed up a solid client base in her community.

It was at this point that she knew she was ready to start her own business. “I realized all the perks and benefits of working for yourself and I knew that was the avenue I was going to be going,” she said. In the end, the decision to go solo more than doubled her income.

Getting a job as a hair stylist

You can work as a staff hair stylist at a wide variety of establishments, from traditional beauty salons and hair salons to resorts, spas, or even TV and movie sets. As an employee, you may get a more stable income than you would running your own business, but Nadeau warns that this will really only be the case if you’re working in a busy salon.

If you decide to apply for a hair stylist job, be sure to have that comprehensive resume and portfolio handy. As you job hunt, look at the requirements of each listing. If you notice that you’re missing some of the skills or experience that most positions require, work on developing those while you apply for hairstyling jobs.

Additionally, try to make use of your network during this time. Ask experienced hair stylists or educators who you’ve met along your career journey thus far to recommend openings or simply act as a reference.

Starting your own hairstyling business

Becoming a self-employed hair stylist comes with both benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, you get to be your own boss. You can set your own schedule and work when, how, and where you want. You also get to keep all the money you earn.

The drawback is that, like offering other types of business services, you also have to cover all your upfront costs, which can be substantial. You’ll need to pay for your own space, equipment, and products, then also pay for extra services such as business insurance and advertising.

While you can build your own website and market your hairstyling business on your own, it can be a time-consuming process. That said, there are ways to make the process of starting up your own hairstyling business a bit easier.

Many successful stylists create small styling spaces in their own homes, build a basic website, and then advertise their services via photo-heavy social media platforms like Instagram. They also often rely on their networks for getting business, especially if they previously worked at a salon and built up a loyal client base.

Hairstyling is one of those jobs that attract people with a true passion for the craft. To Nadeau, it was a calling.

“I’ve been doing hair since I was playing with Barbie dolls. There was not 1 doll that didn’t get a fresh new style, trim up, or dye job with markers. I was fortunate enough to always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. There was never a question,” she said.

If this sounds like you, then you have a chance to build an incredibly rewarding career for yourself where you get to earn a living doing what you love. There’s even potential to work for yourself or even from your own home studio. Becoming a hair stylist takes time and money, but it’s worth it if hair is your passion.

Pros and cons

If you’re still unsure whether a hairstyling career is for you, take a moment to weigh up the pros and cons of the job.

Nadeau mentioned two challenges of the job that hair stylists aren’t always prepared for. First, you need to be able to summon the confidence to charge your worth and not sell yourself short. Second, you need to be prepared for the emotional challenge of dealing with dissatisfied customers. Instead of beating yourself up, she said, you need to “learn from it and move on.”

Is hairstyling a good side hustle?

For many professionals in this industry, hairstyling is a full-time gig. The high starting costs, licensing requirements, and long training periods often deter people from pursuing hairstyling as a way to make cash on the side.

With that said, you can still do hairstyling part-time as a side hustle. Even as a part-time hair stylist, you can build a loyal client base and even take that client base with you if you ever decide you want to go full-time.

A hairstyling side hustle could be a good choice if you’re already working in the beauty industry, retired, looking for a non-digital side hustle you can do from home, or just truly passionate about hair.

Just remember that even if you only style hair as a side gig, you’ll still need to get the proper license and obtain the required education. If you don’t like the idea of putting in all that time, money, and work just for a side job, you may want to look at other side hustle ideas.

How much do hair stylists make?

According to Nadeau, you can make upwards of $100 per hour as a hair stylist. However, this is the amount you’d be getting paid when you actually have a client. Between sessions, you could be earning little or nothing.

As an example of how this averages out, Indeed provides a much lower estimated average salary for a hair stylist of just $20.95 per hour. 4 Because of these daily and weekly fluctuations, it may make more sense to ask how much hair stylists make per year. Indeed provides a range of $35,952–$126,855 for a hair stylist’s average annual salary.

Your actual earnings as a hair stylist will heavily depend on the type of employment you pursue, but additional factors like location and experience can play big roles in your salary. You can expect to earn more over time as you settle into your career.

If you choose to work as an employee at a salon, you’ll find that hair stylists can be paid several different ways. Nadeau says some hair salons pay their stylists commission on a sliding scale based on the number of clients they bring in, whereas others pay an hourly rate.

How much does it cost to become a hair stylist?

You can expect it to cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 to attend cosmetology school in the United States, depending on which institution you choose. 5 Nadeau told us that her course cost $10,000, but this also included the cost of a kit with all the essentials you need for hairstyling.

You may be able to skip tuition fees with an apprenticeship. However, to get licensed, you’ll generally need to pay a licensing fee (and license renewal fees in the years to come). There’s also often an additional fee for registering your own salon.

Other beauty industry jobs

In addition to hairstyling, there are other side hustles you can do within the beauty industry, including ones that don’t require as much time spent on education or licensing:

• Makeup artist: You can do makeup professionally with an esthetician’s license (which is easier to get than a cosmetology license) or no license at all. For example, in New York State, an esthetician’s license requires only 600 hours of education rather than 1,000 hours. 6
• Nail artist: Nail technicians focus on providing manicures, pedicures, and doing nail art. Opening the door to this line of work may make it easier to find a suitable apprenticeship that’ll get you work experience in a salon.
• Personal stylist: Want to help people look glamorous without a license or course diploma? Then becoming a personal or fashion stylist could be a good alternative. Since this job mainly consists of helping clients choose the best clothing for their body type and lifestyle (rather than altering their physical appearance), there’s no license required.
• Beautician: On the flip side, if you actually want to expand your specialties and expertise beyond hairstyling, you can become a beautician, which combines hairstyling, makeup artistry, waxing, and other services. Just like with hairstyling, the education and licensing requirements for beauticians vary from one state to the next.

Each of these careers has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Before starting a new side hustle, explore all your options to choose a profession that’ll bring you the most joy and fit your financial goals and lifestyle.