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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 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information to provide basic treatment and advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair
Interest in manipulating combs, scissors, clippers, brushes and other devices to cut and style hair
Interest in serving clients by cutting and styling hair and performing related services; may train and supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Interest in manipulating combs, scissors, clippers (hand or electric), brushes, razors and other devices to cut and style hair, and shave and trim beards and moustaches
Interest in compiling information to provide advice on services related to the care of hair, face and scalp; may advise on hair problems and suggest grooming aids and appropriate hair styles
Interest in serving clients by providing services related to the care of hair, face and scalp; may train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
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 150 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 07, 2025 and Apr 18, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences | 130 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Shampoo customers' hair | 123 |
| Tasks: Provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting and also provide scalp conditioning massages | 119 |
| Tasks: Shave and trim beards and mustaches | 112 |
| Tasks: Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair | 106 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 103 |
| Tasks: Suggest hair style compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences | 101 |
| Attention to detail | 95 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 86 |
| Tasks: Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair | 84 |
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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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:
As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.
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.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $18.00 | $15.41 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $37.00 | $25.92 | $26.00 |
| Top | $16.50 | $62.00 | $39.64 | $46.15 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $42,819 |
|---|---|
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $42,828 |
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.
