Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

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Hairstylist Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Hairstylist work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Hairstylist. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Hairstylist click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Hairstylist

Hairstylist

work indoors

Hairstylists cut and style hair to suit each client's face and lifestyle, and make recommendations about home care to ensure clients always look and feel their best.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Social Studies; Home Economics

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Beauty Salons; Large and medium sized urban areas; Small Salons; Part-time work.

  • DutiesDetails

    Hairstylists:

    • Shampoo, cut, trim, colour, wave and style hair, wigs and hairpieces.
    • Shave, trim and shape beards and mustaches.
    • Suggest appropriate styling aids or hairstyles.
    • Analyze hair and scalp and suggest treatment.
    • Keep station clean and organized.
    • Make sure scissors, combs, brushes, clippers are sterilized and work properly.

    Some hairstylists manage, or own a hair salon. These stylists must also:

    • Order supplies, pay bills and keep records.
    • Hire and supervise employees.
    • Encourage staff to learn new skills.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Clean environment.
      • Standing all day.
      • Sometimes work through breaks.
    • Outdoors
      • No.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours.
    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • Evening, weekends and holidays during busy months.
    • May require extra hours during busy times.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Not usually.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Patience.
    • Desire to be helpful.
    • Able to stand all day.
    • Able to work sometimes without breaks.
    • Able to keep up to date with new hair fashions, supplies, equipment and technology.
    • Keep a professional appearance.
    • Enjoy working with people.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • OR able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 2 years.
    • 1400 work hours.
    • 10 weeks classroom training.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Outside the apprenticeship program the following post-secondary institutions offer related training:

    • Academy of Professional Hair Design, a private vocational school in Red Deer, offers a 40 week Beauty Culture program.
    • Artists Within, a private vocational school in Calgary, offers a full-time eight week Hair Design program. Applicants must be 19 years of age or have a high school diploma, or equivalent.
    • Beliza School of Hair Design, a private vocational school in Calgary, offers a 37 week Hairstylist program.
    • CLI College of Business, Health and Technology, a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers a 40 week Hairstylist program.
    • DelMar College of Hair and Esthetics, a private vocational school in Calgary, offers a 36 week Hairstylist program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.
    • Est-Elle Academy of Hair Design Ltd., a private vocational school in Edmonton, offers a 39 week Beauty Culture program.
    • L.A. School of Hair Design (1989) Ltd., a private vocational school in Lethbridge, offers a 37 week Beauty Culture program. The entrance requirement is at least 33 credits with Grade 10 English and math or equivalent.
    • Marvel College, a private vocational school in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer offers a 36 week Hairstyling program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.
    • Masters School of Hair Design, a private vocational school in Medicine Hat, offers a 39 week Beauty Culture program. The entrance requirement is Grade 10 or equivalent. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
    • Northern Lights Academy of Cosmetology Ltd., a private vocational school in Grande Prairie, offers a 40 week Hairstylist program. Entrance requirements include Grade 10 or equivalent, a resume, two letters of reference and a personal letter. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age.
    • Numa International Institute of Makeup and Design, a private vocational school in Calgary, offers a 12 week Hair Design program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.
    • One Beauty in Medicine Hat offers a 49 week Blended Hairstyling, Esthetics and Make-Up diploma program and a 39 week Hairstyling diploma program.
    • Purely Inspired Academy of Beauty, a private vocational school in Lethbridge, offers a 40 week Hairstyling program and a 45 week Blended Hairstyling Makeup Esthetics program. Entrance requirements include Grade 10 English and Math 14, and an essay.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Demonstrations at hair shows or in salons for staff.
    • Sales positions.
    • Esthetics or nail technicians.
    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Self-employed.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 11,600 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect above average growth of 3.5% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 406 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Wage rates for certified hairstylists vary but generally range from $10 to $17 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice hairstylists earn at least minimum wage ans as of September 1, 2013, the minimum wage in Alberta is $9.95 per hour for most jobs. For more information, see Alberta Employment Standards. Usually the pay increases as training progresses. According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Hairstylists and Barbers occupational group earned on average from $12.75 to $29.09 an hour.

    The mean wage for this group was $19.32 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails