Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
SOC Code: 39-5012 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $33,634 | $50,419 | $67,226 | $84,011 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $42,266 | $55,952 | $69,659 | $83,346 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $41,850 | $55,162 | $68,453 | $81,765 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $37,939 | $51,085 | $64,230 | $77,376 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $39,250 | $51,730 | $64,189 | $76,669 |
| Bellingham, WA | $40,082 | $51,355 | $62,608 | $73,882 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $39,853 | $50,731 | $61,589 | $72,467 |
| East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $32,094 | $45,282 | $58,469 | $71,656 |
| Corvallis, OR | $30,451 | $43,597 | $56,763 | $69,909 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $26,936 | $40,955 | $54,974 | $68,994 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.4 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.7 |
| Administration and Management | 3.0 |
| Education and Training | 3.0 |
| English Language | 2.9 |
| Chemistry | 2.8 |
| Administrative | 2.5 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 79.0% |
| High school diploma | 20.9% |
Typical Tasks
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Apple iOS Facebook Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word Appointment scheduling software Customer information databases Sale processing software YouTube
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