Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
30%
risk level
POLLING
28%
Based on 247 votes
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
10.9%
by 2031
WAGES
$33,290
or $16.00 hourly
VOLUME
298,050
as of 2022
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
6.2/10

Automation risk

30% (Low Risk)

Low Risk (21-40%): Jobs in this level have a limited risk of automation, as they demand a mix of technical and human-centric skills.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Assisting and Caring for Others

  • Finger Dexterity

  • Manual Dexterity

  • Originality

  • Social Perceptiveness

User poll

28% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that there is a small chance this occupation will be replaced. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 30% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that this occupation will be replaced by robots or AI in the next 20 years?






Growth

Very fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists' job openings is expected to rise 10.9% by 2031

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031.
Updated projections are due Sep 2023.

Wages

Very low paid relative to other professions

In 2022, the median annual wage for 'Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists' was $33,290, or $16.00 per hour

'Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists' were paid 28.1% lower than the national median wage, which stood at $46,310

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Significantly greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2022 there were 298,050 people employed as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists within the United States.

This represents around 0.20% of the employed workforce across the country.

Put another way, around 1 in 496 people are employed as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.

Job description

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.

SOC Code: 39-5012.00

Resources

If you're thinking of starting a new career, or looking to change jobs, we've created a handy job search tool which might just help you land that perfect new role.

Search jobs in your local area

Comments

bob (No chance) says
I don't see it in our future robots haven't gotten that artistic to know the exact needs or wants of a person
Feb 01, 2021 at 07:08 PM
Dawley Hair Design (Never) says
lol!!! been doing this over 10 yrs.. no way in HELL hair will be automated in any of our life times
Jul 09, 2020 at 01:56 PM
Kim says
I wouldn't ever take a chance of a robot cutting my hair, I'd fear being cut by the robot.
Jan 26, 2020 at 07:48 PM
Elle (Small chance) says
AI still has a long way to go before it can start doing people’s hair, too much dexterity involved.
Sep 21, 2019 at 11:17 AM
Millie (Small chance) says
Because they will probably do something wrong
Sep 04, 2019 at 09:47 AM
Sarah (No chance) says
Hairstyling is a creative job to do at saloons. Saloons are opening so this job should grow a bit.
Jun 26, 2019 at 01:36 AM
zoe haumaha (Could go either way) says
I really want to be a hair dress
Jun 13, 2019 at 10:53 PM

Leave a reply about this occupation

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

People also viewed

Lawyers
Computer Programmers
Graphic Designers
Preschool, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Special Education Teachers
Accountants and Auditors

Have your say

Elizabeth Annette Wolter on Writers and Authors

Someone who is passionate about storytelling on Writers and Authors

Vk on Computer Programmers

PeopleHereAreReallyDumb on Computer Programmers

Dave Leininger on Database Architects