Cosmetologist job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

14

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

medium preparation

Typical entry education

Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$35,790

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (O*NET-SOC 39-5012.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs. importance 4.8 of 5
2. Schedule client appointments. importance 4.6 of 5
3. Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush. importance 4.6 of 5
4. Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors. importance 4.5 of 5
5. Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions. importance 4.5 of 5
6. Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided. importance 4.5 of 5
7. Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles. importance 4.4 of 5
8. Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment. importance 4.3 of 5
9. Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair. importance 4.3 of 5
10. Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches. importance 4.3 of 5
11. Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style. importance 4.2 of 5
12. Develop new styles and techniques. importance 4.1 of 5
13. Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics. importance 4.0 of 5
14. Order, display, and maintain supplies. importance 3.8 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public, Selling or Influencing Others, Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Assisting and Caring for Others and Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
• Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.
• Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions.
• Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance.
• Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants.
• Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs.

Knowledge areas: Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing, English Language, Administration and Management and Education and Training.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Facebook, Apple iOS, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists no typical on-the-job training once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 3 of 5 (medium preparation). Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a cosmetologist.

Job title: Cosmetologist
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Cosmetologist to provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in active listening, speaking and service orientation
- Working knowledge of Customer and Personal Service and Sales and Marketing
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Facebook or Apple iOS]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $35,790 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $17.21. BLS estimates about 305,710 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of cosmetologists to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 73,400 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full cosmetologist salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real cosmetologist posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only cosmetologist work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (active listening and speaking); cosmetologist interview questions turns them into practice questions.