Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
Hairstylists
- Suggest hairstyle compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences
- Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair
- Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair
- Analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair
- Clean and style wigs and hair pieces
- Apply hair extensions
- May shampoo and rinse hair
- May perform receptionist duties and order supplies
- May train or supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers
Barbers
- Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences
- Shave and trim beards and moustaches
- May shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting and may also provide scalp conditioning massages
- May book appointments and order supplies
- May train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices
Employment requirements
Hairstylists
- Completion of secondary school education is required
- Completion of a one- or two-year hairstyling apprenticeship program or completion of a college or other program in hairstyling combined with on-the-job training is usually required
- Several years of experience may replace formal education and training
- Employers may require applicants to provide a hairstyling demonstration before being hired
- Trade certification for hairstylists is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- In New Brunswick, licensing by the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick is mandatory to use the titles "hairstylist" or "hairdresser"
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified hairstylists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Barbers
- Completion of secondary school education is required
- Completion of a seven-month to one-year apprenticeship or other barber program is usually required
- On-the-job training may be substituted for formal education
- Trade certification for barbers is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in the Yukon
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to barbers, as qualified hairstylists, upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Job titles in NOC 63210
13 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- barber
- barber apprentice
- beauty salon operator
- hair colour technician
- hair dyer
- hair-care specialist
- hairdresser
- hairdresser apprentice
- hairstyling specialist
- hairstylist
- hairstylist apprentice
- men's hairdresser
- wig stylist
Wages for NOC 63210 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for hairstylists and barbers.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $18.00 | $28.57 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $23.00 | $32.97 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $19.23 | $26.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $21.15 | $33.17 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.32 | $25.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $21.63 | $32.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $18.60 | $29.48 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $19.00 | $25.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $19.93 | $28.67 |
| Canada | $15.00 | $19.88 | $30.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60 | $19.00 | $27.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $17.60 | $19.00 | $28.00 |
| Toronto | $17.60 | $17.60 | $28.57 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60 | $18.50 | $35.26 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $17.60 | $19.71 | $27.03 |
| London | $17.60 | $19.01 | $24.26 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60 | $18.60 | $38.75 |
| Northeast | $17.60 | $19.32 | $30.35 |
| Northwest | $17.60 | $21.05 | $29.30 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Career progression and other notes
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations: NOC 63211, Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations
- Hairdressing teacher - community college: NOC 41210, College and other vocational instructors
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
Ontario employers with 25 or more employees must include pay, vacancy status and any AI screening in public job postings. Our HR team can prepare the contract, onboarding and policies for the hire.
Questions about NOC 63210
What is NOC 63210?
NOC 63210 is Hairstylists and barbers, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category sales and service occupations and to TEER 3.
What TEER is NOC 63210?
NOC 63210 is TEER 3. TEER 3 generally means: college program under 2 years, apprenticeship under 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.
What job titles are in NOC 63210?
The unit group includes 13 job titles, for example barber, barber apprentice, hair colour technician, hairdresser, hairdresser apprentice, hairstylist.
How much do hairstylists and barbers earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $19.88 per hour for hairstylists and barbers, and $18.00 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in British Columbia at $23.00 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 63210?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include estheticians, electrologists and related occupations (NOC 63211); hairdressing teacher - community college (NOC 41210).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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