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Barber, Cosmetologist, Hairdresser
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Barbers and hairstylists cut and style hair to suit the client’s face and lifestyle. They make recommendations about home care to make sure clients always look and feel their best.
Barbers in general:
Hairstylists can perform all the tasks of a barber. They can also perform additional tasks that barbers cannot. Hairstylists:
Barbers and hairstylists need to keep their station clean and organized. They must keep all equipment (scissors, combs, brushes, clippers) in good working condition and sterilized.
Those who own or manage a salon or barbershop also:
Changes to Alberta’s Personal Services Regulations and Standards came into force on July 1, 2020. Barbers and hairstylists need to follow the new requirements.
Barbers and hairstylists work indoors in a clean environment. They must stand all day and sometimes work through their breaks. They may need to work weekends and evenings, and put in extra hours at peak times. Part-time work or flexible work hours are more common than in other occupations.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Hairstylists
2023 OaSIS: 63210.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Barbers
2023 OaSIS: 63210.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Barbers and hairstylists need:
They should enjoy working with people and promoting their products.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 128 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 24, 2025 and Nov 02, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Shampoo customers' hair | 109 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences | 108 |
| Tasks: Provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting and also provide scalp conditioning massages | 95 |
| Tasks: Shave and trim beards and mustaches | 92 |
| Tasks: Suggest hair style compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences | 85 |
| Tasks: Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair | 79 |
| Work Setting: Barbershop or hairstyling salon/studio | 74 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 72 |
| Attention to detail | 64 |
| Hair Styling Techniques: Blow drying | 63 |
To work in Alberta, a barber or hairstylist must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.
Terms of apprenticeship for the different branches of this trade vary:
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Current hairstylist apprentices can transfer into the barber program.
Hairstylist apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
The barber apprenticeship program is not a Red Seal trade. However, to earn a hairstylist Red Seal endorsement, barbers may choose 1 of 2 options:
Barber apprentices are not eligible for federal and some provincial support programs that are available to hairstylist apprentices.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Barbers and 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. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile on Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to cut and style a paying customer’s hair in Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Barber and Hairstylist.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most barbers work in barbershops and hairstylists work in beauty salons. Large and medium sized urban areas have most of the employment opportunities. However, many smaller communities support small businesses.
Barbers and hairstylists have other work options. They may work on cruise ships or in institutional settings. They can teach or demonstrate new techniques at hair shows or in salons for staff. Or they can become a salesperson for a salon or barber equipment and supplies vendor. Hairstylists can also become estheticians or nail technicians.
Barbers and hairstylists can advance to managing a shop, or owning and operating their own.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Hairstylists and barbers
2016 NOC: 6341
97.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Apprentice barbers and hairstylists start with minimum wage and receive higher pay as training progresses.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally is up to $18 an hour, or higher for barbers. For journeyperson hairstylists it is up to $25 an hour, plus benefits for hairstylists (2020 estimates).
Barbers and hairstylists can be compensated in other ways, including:
Barbers and hairstylists are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 63210: Hairstylists and barbers.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Hairstylists and barbers occupational group earned on average from $17.58 to $37.61 an hour. The overall average was $25.50 an hour. For more information, see the Hairstylists and barbers wage profile.
As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Employment Standards Rules.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Aug 04, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
