Hairstylist and Cosmetologist Career Assessment
Hair, color, and beauty services
Welcome
Hairstylists and cosmetologists cut, color, and style hair, and may also offer nail and skin services.
You will explore what this creative, people-focused trade is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Hairstylist and Cosmetologist?
A cosmetologist provides hair services like cutting, coloring, perms, and styling. They may also do nails, makeup, and basic skin care. Many build their own clients and some rent a booth as their own business.
The Reality: You are on your feet all day, and your income depends on building clients who come back. Starting pay is low, but tips and a loyal client base can raise it a lot.
Your Responsibilities:
- Cut, color, and style hair
- Do perms, highlights, and treatments
- Consult with clients about styles
- Clean and sanitize tools and stations
- Sell hair care products
- Book appointments
- Keep up with trends
- Build a client base
You help people feel confident.
A Day in the Life
9:00 AM — Set up your station.
9:30 AM — Color and cut for a regular client.
11:30 AM — Quick trim.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
1:00 PM — Bridal party updos.
4:00 PM — Consultation with a new client.
5:00 PM — Evening appointments.
7:30 PM — Clean up.
Creative, social, and busy.
Training in North Dakota
North Dakota requires a license. You can go to cosmetology school or do a registered apprenticeship.
Training Pathways:
- Cosmetology school (1,500 hours): About 9–12 months full time.
- Apprenticeship (2,500 hours): Learn in a salon under a licensed cosmetologist.
- Other licenses: Esthetics (600 hours), Advanced Esthetics (1,100), Manicuring (350).
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- The Hair Academy (Bismarck)
- Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body (Fargo and Grand Forks)
- Union National Institute of Salon Sciences (Minot)
- Check the ND State Board of Cosmetology school list for current status before enrolling
Before You Start: Check with the school for requirements. Good hand skills, creativity, and people skills.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
North Dakota requires a license. The ND State Board of Cosmetology licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists.
What You Need:
- 1,500 hours of school (or 2,500 apprenticeship hours)
- NIC written exam
- NIC practical exam
- ND law and rules exam
- Independent Licensee license — if you rent a booth
The Exams: Written, practical (on a mannequin), and ND law exams.
Cost: License about $50, renewed yearly. Exam fees are set by the testing company.
Keeping It Current: Licenses renew every year by December 31.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Hairdresser, Hairstylist, and Cosmetologist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $11.60–$14.67/hour ($24,130–$30,510/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $16.76/hour ($34,850/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $25.71–$37.40/hour ($53,480–$77,800/year)
What that means: Starting pay is low. These numbers may not include tips. Experienced stylists with loyal clients earn much more.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 1,550 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 1,570 (about 1% growth). Expect about 190 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 6% growth — faster than average.
Outlook: Steady, with about 190 openings a year in ND.
Who Hires in ND: Salons, spas, and your own booth or business.
Work Setting: Salons. Evenings and weekends are busy.
Physical Demands: Moderate. Standing all day, using your hands and arms, and working with chemicals.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 39-5012); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Color Specialist — Focus on hair color.
Path 2: Booth Renter — Be your own boss.
Path 3: Salon Owner — Run your own salon.
Path 4: Esthetician — Focus on skin care.
Path 5: Educator — Teach at a school or for a product company.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Creative work
- Under a year of school
- Apprenticeship option
- Can be your own boss
- Many openings
- Tips add to income
What's Hard:
- Low starting pay
- On your feet all day
- Building clients takes time
- Evenings and weekends
- Chemical exposure
Be Honest: Do you love hair and style? Can you stand all day? Are you ready for low starting pay while you build clients?