Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Food service, cleaning, and personal care / 39-5012.00

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

US jobs
305,710
Median wage
$35,790 a year
Job family
Food service, cleaning, and personal care

Can agents do the work of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Food service, cleaning, and personal care: Not yet (first measured in the last 12 months)

Direct benchmarks exist, but agents complete less than 20% of their tasks.

Evidence: BEHAVIOR Challenge 2025, 12.4% of tasks fully completed (Full task success rate).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 25%Groom or style hairNot measured
  • 16%Apply hygienic or cosmetic agents to skin or hairNot measured
  • 7%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured
  • 7%Evaluate patient or client condition or treatment optionsNot measured
  • 6%Schedule appointmentsNot measured
  • 6%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 6%Create artistic designs or performancesNot measured
  • 5%Administer therapeutic treatmentsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in food service, cleaning, and personal care, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
  • Schedule client appointments.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
  • Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
  • Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
  • Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
  • Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
  • Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
  • Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair.
  • Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches.
  • Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.
  • Develop new styles and techniques.
Other job titles for this occupation (37)

Beautician · Beauty Specialist · Cosmetologist · Hair Artist · Hair Dresser · Hair Stylist · Hairdresser · Hairstylist · Lash Technician (Lash Tech) · Stylist · Beauty Advisor · Beauty Operator · Beauty Therapist · Colorist · Cosmetic Consultant · Cosmetician · Event Stylist · Funeral Home Makeup Artist · Hair Colorist · Hair Cutter · Hair Designer · Hair Specialist · Hairpiece Stylist · Hypertrichologist · Licensed Cosmetologist · Licensed Hair Stylist · Makeup Designer · Mens Custom Hair Piece Consultant · Mortuary Beautician · Salon Designer · Salon Hair Stylist · Salon Stylist · Trichologist · Wax Specialist · Wedding Makeup Artist · Wig Dresser · Wig Stylist