There are currently an estimated 575,200 hairdressers in the United States. The hairdresser job market is expected to grow by 5.6% between 2024 and 2034.

How employable are hairdressers?

CareerExplorer rates hairdressers with a B+ employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 32,200 hairdressers.

Are hairdressers in demand?

Employment of hairdressers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. This growth rate, however, will likely vary by specialty. For instance, the demand for hair colouring, hair straightening, and other advanced hair treatments has risen in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue over the coming decade. A large number of employment opportunities will stem from the need to replace workers who retire or leave their career for other reasons. However, individuals should expect strong competition for employment at higher paying salons, of which applicants must compete with a large pool of experienced hairdressers.

What’s the supply of hairdressers?

The hairdresser industry is concentrated in California, Florida, Texas

Hairdresser job market by state

State Name Employed Hairdressers
California 27,080
Florida 23,530
Texas 22,440
New York 20,740
Pennsylvania 19,350
New Jersey 15,500
Illinois 13,190
Ohio 12,890
Virginia 10,200
Massachusetts 9,600
Michigan 8,970
North Carolina 8,490
Georgia 7,910
Arizona 7,840
Washington 6,930
Colorado 6,820
Wisconsin 6,260
Tennessee 6,080
Indiana 5,920
Maryland 5,860
Missouri 5,430
Minnesota 5,320
Connecticut 4,090
South Carolina 3,570
Alabama 3,300
Iowa 2,930
Utah 2,810
Louisiana 2,720
Kentucky 2,350
Idaho 2,250
Kansas 2,190
New Hampshire 1,950
Nevada 1,940
Oklahoma 1,920
Nebraska 1,890
Oregon 1,860
Rhode Island 1,470
Arkansas 1,410
Delaware 1,270
New Mexico 1,230
Mississippi 1,040
West Virginia 1,020
Maine 970
Hawaii 930
North Dakota 870
District of Columbia 870
Montana 690
South Dakota 690
Vermont 440
Wyoming 360
Alaska 330