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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:
| Starting | $16.48 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $21.86 |
| Top | $31.03 |
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
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 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.
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
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 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 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.
Barbers and hairstylists need:
They should enjoy working with people and promoting their products.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 19, 2021 and May 10, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Shampoo customers' hair | 84 |
|---|---|
| Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair | 75 |
| Analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair | 73 |
| Suggest hair style compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences | 71 |
| Hair Styling Techniques: Blow drying | 68 |
| Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair | 64 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 63 |
| Book appointments | 56 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 56 |
| Hair Colouring Techniques: Streaking/highlights | 56 |
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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
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 Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Hairstylist Trade Regulation [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.
The term of apprenticeship for the different branches of this trade vary, ranging from 1 to 2 years (12-month periods). Each period includes a minimum of 1,450 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training.
Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Barbers and hairstylists from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
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.
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.
Barber and hairstylists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6341: Hairstylists and barbers. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Other Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 6341: Hairstylists and barbers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 211 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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. As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.
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:
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $22.00 | $16.48 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $15.75 | $30.00 | $21.86 | $20.00 |
| Top | $16.50 | $60.00 | $31.03 | $28.46 |
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.
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.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $34,598 |
|---|---|
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $34,559 |
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.