How to hire hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles. • 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. • Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs. • Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment. • Schedule client appointments. • 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. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Postsecondary nondegree award] • Strong active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, monitoring and reading comprehension skills • Working knowledge of customer and personal service, sales and marketing and English Language • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $17.21 an hour ($35,790 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Explain something technical from your last job as you would to a new coworker.
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists do
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- 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.
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
- Schedule client appointments.
- 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.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +7.7% over ten years, faster than average · about 73,400 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,510 |
| Oregon | $57,580 |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 |
| Arkansas | $28,830 |
| Mississippi | $27,560 |
| Louisiana | $26,030 |
See hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists pay in every state
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Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.