Hairstylists and Barbers
(NOC 6341)
in All Sales and ServiceHairstylists and barbers cut and style hair and perform related services. They work for hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, vocational schools, health care institutions and theatre, film and television companies.
Job Outlook
average
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Compared to: All Sales and Service
Outlook: average, mostly balanced conditions in the labour market.
Size of the occupation: large with regular job opportunities.
Demand: Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions. There is a low level of employee turnover in this occupation. A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Work hours: both full-time and part-time are common. Jobs are usually permanent positions.
There has typically been steady demand for hairstylists although the pandemic has impacted high-contact businesses negatively. The rate of turnover is high due to relatively low wages, especially among those with less experience. Jobseekers may be able to pursue different options for compensation depending on experience, including wage- or commission-based employment, chair rental, or self-employment. In the long-term, wages and job prospects can be improved by building and maintaining a large client base.
Hourly Pay
$13.60
Minimum$14.00
Median$20.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$3,126
Minimum$15,701
Median$32,557
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$15.00
Median$25.60
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Hairstylists and barbers cut and style hair and perform related services. They work for hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, vocational schools, health care institutions and theatre, film and television companies.
Job duties
Hairstylists:
- Suggest hair style compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences.
- Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm, and style hair.
- Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost, or streak hair.
- Analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair.
- Clean and style wigs and hair pieces.
- Apply hair extensions.
- May shampoo and rinse hair.
- May perform receptionist duties and order supplies.
- May judge in competitions.
- May train or supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers.
Barbers:
- Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences.
- Shave and trim beards and moustaches.
- May shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment like waving, straightening, and tinting and may also provide scalp conditioning massages.
- May book appointments and order supplies.
- May train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices.
Sample job titles
- barber
- beauty salon operator
- black beauty culture hair innovator
- hair colour technician
- hair-care specialist
- hairdresser
- hairstylist
- natural hair care practitioner
- wig stylist
Skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well with others
- Self-motivation
- Coordination
- Manual dexterity
- Stamina
- Colour vision and depth perception
- Ability to follow directions
- To be successful workers must incorporate technical and interpersonal skills
- Respect, professionalism, tact, discretion, and creativity are important personal qualities
Job requirements
- Array
- Array
- Array
Other considerations
- Barbers cut hair, shave and trim beards, and carry out related services.
- Black beauty culture hair innovators analyze client’s hair and scalp, style with braids, locs, and twists, and incorporate extensions, weaves, hairpieces, and wigs. Services may also include incidental cutting, straightening, curling, and hair drying. Natural hair care services do not include the use of chemicals.
- Hairstylists shampoo, cut, style, and chemically treat hair.
- The work is indoors in a clean environment with good lighting and comfortable temperatures. Hairstylists work with chemicals that may irritate skin and have strong odours.
- They may need to work evenings or weekends. Part-time or flexible work hours are more common than other occupations. Self-employment is also common.
- Physical considerations are long periods of standing, posture fatigue, and repetitive motion.
- Workers may be compensated through salary, commission, a combination of salary and commission, or by chair rental agreements.
- Earnings are often supplemented by tips. An individual’s income will likely depend on their ability to attract and retain a group of clients.
- Workers own most of their tools and must keep them sanitized, disinfected, and maintained.
- A hairstylist may specialize in areas like cutting, hair additions, chemical services, ethnic-specific services, and gender-spectrum services.
- Most barbers work in barbershops and hairstylists work in beauty salons.
- Experienced hairstylists and barbers can advance to managing a shop or owning their own. They can become a salesperson for a salon or barber equipment and supplies vendor. Hairstylists can also become estheticians or nail technicians.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$19,743 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$12,189 median annual incomeSouthern
$13,393 median annual incomeCape Breton
$14,430 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$13,779 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other services (except public administration)
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
35-44
55-64
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Sales and Service
15-24
45-54
25-34
55-64
35-44
Top levels of education
Trade Certification
$16,021 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$14,806 median annual incomeHigh school
$17,833 median annual incomeBachelor
$22,236 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$12,977 median annual incomeCompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$15,705 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,866 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$20,644 median annual incomeBachelor
$21,262 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$21,234 median annual incomeEducation & training
Barbering
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to shave and trim facial/neck hair and beards, cut and dress hair, fit hairpieces, give facial and scalp massages, apply cosmetic treatments, and to prepare for licensure as professional barbers at various levels. They include courses in facial shaving, beard and moustache shaping and trimming, shampooing, hair cutting, hair styles and styling art, facial treatments and massage, chemical applications, hair and scalp anatomy and physiology, hairpiece and toupee fitting, equipment operation, health and safety, customer service, and shop business practices.
Institutions providing this program
Halifax, NS
Cosmetology
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to cut, trim, style, or remove scalp, facial, and body hair, apply cosmetic preparations, do manicures and pedicures, massage the head and extremities, and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. They include courses in hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labour laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
North Sydney, NS
Various, NS
Hair Styling and Hair Design
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to shampoo, cut, style, set, and dress the scalp hair of women and/or men, braid hair, apply hair cosmetics and wigs, and prepare for licensure as professional cosmetologists, hairdressers, and barbers at various levels. They include courses in hair design theory and concepts, hair cleaning and shampooing, hair colouring, chemical applications and permanent reconstructions, hair anatomy and physiology, scalp diseases and treatments, wig and hairpiece fitting, hair braiding, customer service, shop management, equipment operation, health and safety, and applicable laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Halifax, NS
North Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.
Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.