How to become a hairdresser
Becoming a hairdresser in the UK doesn't require a degree, and the route in is more flexible than most people assume. Entry-level pay sits around £24,000 - £27,000, mid-career roles earn £27,000 - £35,000, senior or specialist hairdressers earn £40,000 - £60,000+ (chair rental / salon owner). This guide covers the realistic route in, what you can earn employed and self-employed, and whether the work fits how you like to spend your day.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £27,000
- Mid-career salary
- £27,000 - £35,000
- Senior salary
- £40,000 - £60,000+ (chair rental / salon owner)
- Work environment
- Salon, mobile, or freelance
- Time to entry
- 2 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Not required (NVQ Level 2/3)
- Category
- Sales, Retail and Customer Service
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: No-degree careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Hairdresser does
Cut, style, and colour hair for clients in a salon or as a freelancer.
- Colourist - Specialise in hair colour - balayage, highlights, corrections.
- Barber - Specialise in cutting and grooming, often men's hair and beards.
How to become a hairdresser in the UK
You don't need a degree to become a hairdresser in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 2 - 3 years once they commit to the path.
- Apply for a Level 2 hairdressing apprenticeship at a salon, or enrol on a Level 2 hairdressing course at college if you want to train before working.
- Expect to start as a salon junior, shampooing, blow drying and assisting stylists, while you practise cutting and colouring on models.
- Learn colour chemistry and always carry out the skin allergy alert test the manufacturer requires, usually 48 hours before a colour service.
- Progress to a Level 3 qualification to learn advanced cutting, colour correction and creative techniques that let you charge more.
- Build an Instagram portfolio of your cuts and colours, and keep client records so you can rebook clients and track their colour formulas.
- Consider joining the Hair Council's voluntary register of qualified hairdressers to show clients and employers your qualifications.
- Once established, decide whether to stay employed, rent a chair, work mobile or open your own salon, weighing up commission, rent and insurance costs.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 hairdressing apprenticeship | About 2 years | Paid by the employer | School leavers who want to earn while learning |
| Full-time college course | 1-2 years | Free for under-19s; loans for adults | Learning before joining a salon |
| Private hairdressing academy course | Weeks to months | Varies by provider | Adult career changers |
| Level 3 qualification once qualified | About 1 year | Varies; may be employer-funded | Moving into senior stylist or colourist roles |
How long it takes
Expect two to three years to become a fully qualified stylist through an apprenticeship or college course plus salon experience. You can start working as a salon junior within weeks.
Hairdresser salary in the UK
Entry-level hairdresser roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £27,000. Mid-career hairdressers earn £27,000 - £35,000. Senior or specialist hairdressers earn £40,000 - £60,000+ (chair rental / salon owner). Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed hairdressers set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Is hairdresser a good career?
Hairdresser can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: steady, builds with reputation. Competition for roles is generally moderate. Day-to-day environment: salon, mobile, or freelance. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Key skills
- Cutting
- Colouring
- Customer care
- Stamina
Will hairdressers be replaced by AI?
Low exposure. No. Cutting and colouring hair is skilled hands-on work with a person in the chair. AI may help with bookings and style previews; it cannot do the cut.
What AI already does in this job
- Bookings and reminders
- Style previews and colour matching
What stays with a person
- Cutting, colouring and styling
- Client relationships and conversation
- Building a regular client base
Secure and well suited to self-employment; owning a chair or salon is where the money is.
Related careers that are also hard to automate
- Barber - the same craft, often self-employed
- Salon Owner - runs the business
- Makeup Artist - hands-on beauty work
More on AI and work: check another job, jobs AI will replace, AI-proof jobs.
Our rating judges how much of the role's everyday work current AI tools can already do or draft; it measures exposure, not job losses. Occupation findings are from the Department for Education, The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (November 2023).
Hairdresser FAQs
How do I become a hairdresser in the UK?
You don't need a degree to become a hairdresser in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 2 - 3 years once they commit to the path.
How much do hairdressers earn in the UK?
Entry-level hairdresser roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £27,000. Mid-career hairdressers earn £27,000 - £35,000. Senior or specialist hairdressers earn £40,000 - £60,000+ (chair rental / salon owner). Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed hairdressers set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Do you need a degree to be a hairdresser?
No - you don't need a degree to become a hairdresser in the UK. The official line: not required (NVQ Level 2/3). Employers and clients care more about demonstrable skill, hands-on experience, and the right attitude than formal qualifications.
Is hairdresser a good career in the UK?
Hairdresser can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: steady, builds with reputation. Competition for roles is generally moderate. Day-to-day environment: salon, mobile, or freelance. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Is Hairdresser right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Hairdresser actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Still deciding whether hairdresser is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.