63210 – Hairstylists and barbers

Lead statement

Hairstylists cut and style hair and perform related services.

Main duties

• Suggest hairstyle compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences
• Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair
• Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair
• Analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair
• Clean and style wigs and hair pieces
• Apply hair extensions
• May shampoo and rinse hair
• May perform receptionist duties and order supplies
• May train or supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers.
• Barbers
• Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences
• Shave and trim beards and moustaches
• May shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting and may also provide scalp conditioning massages
• May book appointments and order supplies
• May train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices.

Employment requirements

• Completion of a one- or two-year hairstyling apprenticeship program or completion of a college or other program in hairstyling combined with on-the-job training is usually required.
• Trade certification for hairstylists is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified hairstylists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• In New Brunswick, licensing by the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick is mandatory to use the titles “Hairstylist” or “hairdresser”.
• Completion of secondary school education is required.
• Several years of experience may replace formal education and training.
• Employers may require applicants to provide a hairstyling demonstration before being hired.
• Trade certification for barbers is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in the Yukon.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to barbers, as qualified hairstylists, upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• Completion of a seven-month to one-year apprenticeship or other barber program is usually required.
• On-the-job training may be substituted for formal education.

Example job titles

hair colour technician · hair dyer · hairdresser · hairstylist · wig stylist · barber apprentice · barber

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.