Hairdresser
Wash, cut, colour and style hair, talk clients through new looks and build a loyal following in salons, spas or as a freelance stylist.
- Salary£19,000 – £30,000
- Hours37 to 40 hours a week, including evenings and weekends on a rota
- Working for yourselfSelf-employment is common
What the job is like
Hairdressing mixes a practical craft with a lot of conversation. You listen to what a client wants, suggest what will work for their hair, then use scissors, colour and styling tools to get there, all while making their visit enjoyable.
Most hairdressers start as salon trainees or apprentices and learn on real clients alongside college or in-house training. Once qualified, many build a regular client list and go on to rent a chair, run a salon or work in theatre, film and TV.
What you'll do
- Consult with clients about the style or colour they want
- Wash, cut, blow-dry and style hair
- Apply colours, tints, braids and hair extensions
- Finish looks using the right products and explain aftercare
- Book appointments, take payments and order stock
- Keep tools clean and the salon safe and tidy
- Keep up with new trends and techniques
Where you'll work
- Indoors
- In customers' homes
- In a team
- On your own
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
Handy to have
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become a hairdresser
Apprenticeship
Hairdressing Professional Level 2 apprenticeship (typically about 24 months), then Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Level 3
College
Courses in hairdressing, barbering or women's and men's hairdressing, sometimes combined with make-up and nails; entry requirements vary
Direct application
Start as a salon trainee and study part-time at college or through the employer's own training school
Where it can lead
- Senior stylist or salon manager
- Opening your own salon, or working freelance and renting space in someone else's
- Training or assessing student hairdressers
- Hair work in theatre, film or television
Good to know
- You are on your feet for most of the day
- Freelancers who rent a chair usually supply their own equipment
- Business qualifications can help if you plan to run your own salon
Courses and training
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Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
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Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Hairdresser (and barber) nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/hairdresser
- Skills England apprenticeship: Hairdressing professional (Level 2) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0213-v1-2
- Skills England apprenticeship: Advanced and creative hair professional (Level 3) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0214-v1-0