Salon & chair rental
Cosmetologist
Your book of clients is the entire business.
Typical pay
$30k-$85k
How you get in
1,000-1,600 hour program plus state license
Outlook
Steady; the top of the market is strong
Lots of openings
15/100Openings come up often relative to the size of this field, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
Cosmetologists cut, color and style hair and often provide skin and nail services. Most rent a chair or work on commission, which makes it a small business more than a job.
A day in the life
9:00a – 7:00p · 10 hours
- 9:00aSet up the station, check the book
- 9:30aColor appointment — three hours start to finish
- 12:30pQuick lunch between clients
- 1:00pCuts and blowouts back to back
- 4:00pConsultation for a big color correction
- 7:00pClean, restock, post to social
How to get in
Cosmetology school
Duration
9-15 months
Cost
$8,000-$25,000
Credential
State cosmetology license
- Complete your state's required hours at a licensed school
- Pass the written and practical state board exams
- Assist at a salon to build speed and a client base
- Move to commission, then chair rental
Apprenticeship
Duration
1-2 years
Cost
$0-$5,000, often earning while you learn
Credential
State cosmetology license
- Find a salon and state that permits registered apprenticeships
- Register with the state board
- Log the required hours under a licensed cosmetologist
- Sit for the same state board exams
Specialize after licensure
Duration
Ongoing
Cost
$500-$5,000 per advanced course
Credential
License plus advanced certifications
- Get licensed and work the floor first
- Take advanced color, extension or texture training
- Build a specialty that commands premium pricing
- Specialists fill their books faster than generalists
What people love
- · Licensed in under a year
- · Own your schedule and your book
- · Income scales with skill and clientele
- · Creative, social work
What wears people down
- · Income is zero until you build a book
- · Standing all day; hands and shoulders take damage
- · Chemical exposure
- · No benefits when renting a chair