Hairdressers and barbers are often named as examples of jobs AI cannot do, and people still search to check. The data backs the common view: cutting and styling hair is among the least exposed work in the ILO index, and US projections expect growth.
The short answer: no, not on current evidence. The ILO's 2025 index classes hairdressers as not exposed to generative AI, with a mean score of 0.17, one of the lowest of any occupation. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8 percent growth for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists and 3 percent for barbers from 2025 to 2035. The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots. Projections can change.
How exposed hair work is
From the ILO's 2025 index, which scores tasks 0 to 1 for generative AI exposure:
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO band | Mean task score |
|---|---|---|
| Beauticians and Related Workers | Not exposed | 0.18 |
| Hairdressers | Not exposed | 0.17 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | Grow 8% |
| Barbers | Grow 3% |
The BLS projects about 80,300 openings a year for the group. It says demand will stem primarily from basic hair care services, with continued demand for coloring, straightening and other advanced treatments. About 80 percent of barbers and 48 percent of hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists are self-employed.
Where AI fits in
- Booking, reminders and client messages.
- Style previews from a photo, which help a conversation but do not cut hair.
- Social media captions and simple marketing.
- Bookkeeping for self-employed stylists. See will AI replace bookkeepers?
What stays with the stylist
- The cut, color and styling itself: skilled, hands-on work on each head of hair.
- Reading what a client wants, including what they cannot quite describe.
- The relationship and conversation that bring regulars back.
- Running a chair or a shop as a small business.
How the job is changing
AI mostly helps with the business side: bookings, messages and marketing. The service itself is physical and personal, which is why it scores among the least exposed jobs. For other hands-on work, see will AI replace electricians? and will AI replace chefs?
See also will AI take my job?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for barbers hairstylists and cosmetologists at $35,880 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: postsecondary nondegree award. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace hairdressers?
No, not on current evidence. The ILO classes hairdressers as not exposed to generative AI, and the BLS projects 8 percent US growth for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists from 2025 to 2035.
Will AI replace barbers?
The BLS projects 3 percent growth for barbers from 2025 to 2035, and about 80 percent of barbers are self-employed.
How exposed are hairdressers to AI?
In the ILO 2025 index, hairdressers score 0.17, one of the lowest scores of any occupation.
Will robots replace hairdressers?
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots, so it does not answer this. The BLS still projects growth for the occupation.
How can stylists use AI?
For bookings, reminders, client messages, style previews, marketing and bookkeeping.