Hairdresser
Also advertised as: Barber, Chair Renter, Colour Technician, Hairdresser, Junior Stylist, Mobile Hairdresser
Cuts, colours and styles hair, and builds a loyal client base.
What the job involves
Hairdressers combine technical craft with client relationships. You consult, cut, colour and style, manage bookings and retail products, and often move to renting a chair or opening a salon. Training is largely on the job.
Typical responsibilities
- Consult with clients on cut and colour
- Cut, colour and style hair
- Advise on aftercare and products
- Manage bookings and client records
- Maintain hygiene and salon standards
Common employers
- Salons
- Barbershops
- Mobile and freelance
- Hotels and spas
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£18,000 – £23,000 a year
With experience
£24,000 – £38,000 a year
Typical hours
Salon hours including Saturdays and late nights
Working environment
Salon
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Cutting and colouring technique
- Client consultation
- Time management
- Retail selling
- Creativity
Transferable skills you may already have
- Customer service
- Manual dexterity
- Building rapport
Requirements employers ask for
- Cutting and colouring technique
- Client consultation
- Time management
- Retail selling
- Creativity
- No formal qualification required to train
- Salon insurance for self-employment
Useful but not essential
- Customer service
- Manual dexterity
- Building rapport
- Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing
- Barbering qualifications
Helpful qualifications
- Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing
- Barbering qualifications
Licences and checks
- Salon insurance for self-employment
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Hairdressing Professional (Level 2)
- Advanced and Creative Hair Professional (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Hairdressing
- Related subject: Beauty therapy
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Stylist
next
Salon Manager
next
Salon Owner
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Fast route to self-employment
- Loyal repeat clients
- Creative daily work
What people find hard
- Low pay while training
- Standing all day, hand and back strain
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a hairdresser?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a hairdresser earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £18,000 to £23,000 a year, rising towards £38,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Customer service, Manual dexterity, Building rapport.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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