Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Hairstylist and barbers cut and style hair and perform related services. They are employed in hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, vocational schools, hair replacement clinics and studios, health care establishments and theatre, film and television establishments.

Nature of Work

Hairstylist and barbers cut and style hair and perform related services. They are employed in hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, vocational schools, hair replacement clinics and studios, health care establishments and theatre, film and television establishments.

Duties

Hairstylists either suggest hair styles that are compatible with their client's physical features or determine a style based on the client's instructions and preferences. Their technical duties include shampooing and rinsing hair; applying bleach, tint, dye or rinses to color, frost or streak hair; and cutting, trimming, tapering, curling, waving, perming and styling hair. Hairstylists also analyze their clients' hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair. Other duties include training or supervising other hairstylists, hairdressers and assistants.

Barbers cut and trim hair according to a client's instructions or preferences and shave and trim beards and moustaches. They also shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting. Some barbers also provide scalp conditioning massages.

Example Titles

• hairstylist apprentice
• hair colour technician
• barber
• barber apprentice
• hairdresser
• hairdresser apprentice
• wig stylist
• hairstylist

Training Paths

SIAST offers the Hairstylist pre-employment certificate program. Each of these programs can provide an apprenticeship period of up to two years. Applicants to this program must be currently working in the trade and have completed a 1500 hour barber-stylist or cosmetology course at an approved school. They must also have completed grade 11 or equivalent approved by the Trade and Apprenticeship Certification Commission. Other cosmetology, hairstyling and related programs in this field are offered through SIAST, regional colleges and private vocational schools.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

In the late nineties, employment for hairstylists and barbers began to decline in Saskatchewan. Surprisingly, this downward trend continued into this decade; there were 12% fewer hairstylists and barbers working in Saskatchewan in 2005 than there were in 2000. This amounts to a loss of more than 350 jobs in five years. That said, these remain large occupations in the province--there are more than 2,500 hairstylists and barbers working in Saskatchewan--and there will always be some job openings due to turnover in the current work force. After all, these are essential jobs. Regardless of how the rest of the economy is doing, people always need their hair done. So, young stylist and barbers can expect a number of employment opportunities each year, both from new job creation and from attrition--retirement or other turnover within these occupations.

Hairstylists and barbers are generally not well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income for these occupations was $18,800 per year, well below the provincial full-time average for all occupations that year ($42,300 per year). On average, hairstylists and barbers in Regina and Saskatoon earn considerably more than their counterparts elsewhere in the province. It should be noted that many hairstylists and barbers earn considerably more (or less) than the average. It should also be remembered that most hairstylists receive tips or gratuities in addition to earning a set wage.

Hairstylists and barbers in Saskatchewan are predominantly female; only 8% were male in 2006. Employment is evenly distributed throughout the province. Roughly 48% of all hairstylists and barbers were employed in or around Regina and Saskatoon in 2006. Roughly half of all hairstylists and barbers in Saskatchewan work full-time. While not unheard of, self-employment is rare in these fields. This seems to be changing gradually, however, as more hairstylists and barbers open their own shops or salons. Employment in these field of work is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

• Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations (6482)
• Hairdressing teachers (in 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors)