Hairdressers and barbers cut, shave, colour and style customers' hair.
Average salary (a year)
£19000.0 to £30000.0 (starter to experienced)
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends on a rota
You could get into this job through:
You could take a college course that will give you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to start in this career.
Courses include:
You may be able to combine these courses with other subjects like make-up and nails.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship to get into this job, for example:
These apprenticeships take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
You might be able to start work as a trainee hairdresser or barber and learn on the job.
Your employer would expect you to take a part-time course to get qualifications, either at a college or in their own training school.
You may also be able to work freelance and rent space in a salon or barbershop, though you'll usually have to supply your own equipment.
If your aim is to manage or open your own salon or barbershop, it may help to get some business qualifications alongside hairdressing experience.
You can find out more about careers in hairdressing and barbering from the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) and National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) .
You'll need:
As a hairdresser or barber you could:
You could work in a salon, in a barbershop, at a client's home, at a health spa or on a cruise ship.
Your working environment may be physically active.
With experience, you could:
