Also called: Loctician, Braiding Specialist
Creates braids, twists, locs and other natural and protective hairstyles.
Box braids can take six to eight hours, so a braider may see just one or two clients a day, often streaming a movie for them while she works. She finishes by sealing the ends and showing the client how to care for the style.
Many work for themselves from home studios; experienced braiders set premium prices.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 0 years after high school. Many states now exempt braiders from full cosmetology licensing or offer a shorter braiding license.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Cosmetology (trade school).
Growing faster than average.
Low risk for 10 years. Booking and marketing go online; braiding, twists and locs are detailed hand work that machines can't do.
Age 14+. One way to start: If you can braid, start with friends and family, then post photos; check if your state requires a license
Classes: Art, Cosmetology CTE program, Business.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-5012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.