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Hairdressers and barbers shampoo, cut, colour, style and treat hair.

Main tasks

  • Demonstrates, sells and recommends hair care products to clients and advises them on hair care.
  • Ensures hair products are stored and used appropriately and observes relevant health and safety factors.
  • Maintains client records and keeps up-to-date with new products, styles and techniques.
  • Collects payment, arranges appointments and cleans and tidies salon.
  • Shaves and trims beards and moustaches.
  • Combs, brushes, blow-dries or sets wet hair in rollers to style or straighten.
  • Cuts and trims hair using scissors, clippers, razor and comb.
  • Washes, conditions, bleaches, tints or dyes hair and provides any necessary basic scalp treatments.
  • Discusses customer requirements, analyses hair condition and other relevant features to define and advise on hair style.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£27,215.90

Average earnings

£15,940.99

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 3%
Level 1 9%
Level 2 21%
Level 3 57%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 6%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 3%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 1%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.