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Colorist Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Walmart

Health & Beauty TA

Shelby Township, MI · On-site

$15 - $28/hr

Hourly Wage: $15 - $28 per/hour *The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance ...

All JobsColorist JobsColorist Jobs in Detroit, MI

Colorist information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$10

$21

$35

How much do colorist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for colorist in Detroit, MI is $21.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a colorist a good career?

A colorist is a professional who enhances and corrects colors in film, television, or photography using specialized software and techniques. The career offers opportunities in entertainment and media industries, often requiring artistic skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with color grading tools like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere. Job stability and growth depend on industry demand and individual skill level.

What is a colorist?

A colorist is a professional who specializes in altering and enhancing the color of images in film, television, photography, or print. In the context of film and video, colorists work in post-production to balance colors, adjust contrast, and create a specific mood or visual style as intended by the director or cinematographer. They use specialized software and equipment to ensure consistency and artistic quality across all footage. In the beauty industry, a colorist is a hair stylist who specializes in coloring hair using various techniques. The role requires a strong understanding of color theory, technical skills, and creative vision.

How does a colorist typically collaborate with directors and cinematographers during post-production?

A colorist works closely with directors and cinematographers to ensure that the final visual tone and mood of a project align with the creative vision. Collaboration often involves reviewing reference images, discussing desired looks, and making iterative adjustments during supervised color grading sessions. Clear communication and feedback are essential, as the colorist translates artistic intentions into technical adjustments using specialized software. This teamwork helps maintain consistency and enhances storytelling throughout the film or video.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a colorist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Colorist, you need a deep understanding of color theory, visual storytelling, and post-production workflows, often supported by formal training or a degree in film, media, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard color grading software such as DaVinci Resolve, Baselight, or Adobe Premiere Pro is essential, along with familiarity with various camera formats and LUTs. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate creatively with directors and cinematographers set top Colorists apart. These skills ensure that the final visual output meets artistic intent and technical standards, greatly impacting the overall quality and mood of the project.

What is the difference between Colorist vs Makeup Artist?

AspectColoristMakeup Artist
CredentialsHair coloring certifications, cosmetology licenseMakeup artistry certifications, cosmetology or esthetician license
Work EnvironmentSalons, hair studios, film setsBeauty salons, film sets, fashion shows
Industry UsageHair coloring and stylingFacial and body makeup application
Common Search IntentHair coloring techniques, salon careersMakeup techniques, beauty industry jobs

While both Colorists and Makeup Artists work in beauty and entertainment industries, Colorists specialize in hair coloring and styling, requiring cosmetology licenses and working mainly in salons or film sets. Makeup Artists focus on facial and body makeup, often working in beauty salons, fashion shows, or film productions. Their certifications and work environments overlap but serve different aesthetic purposes.

Do you need a degree to be a colorist?

A degree is not strictly required to become a colorist, but many professionals have backgrounds in film, photography, or art. Skills in color grading software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere are essential, and some employers value formal training or certifications. Practical experience and a strong portfolio are often more important than formal education for this role.

How do you become a colorist?

To become a colorist, you typically need a background in film, photography, or digital imaging, along with proficiency in color grading software such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio, and developing a strong understanding of color theory and technical skills are essential steps in the profession.
What are the most commonly searched types of Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI? The most popular types of Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI are:
What are popular job titles related to Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI? For Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Colorist jobs in Detroit, MI are:
Colorist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Colorist job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,506 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Hair Stylist/Colorist

Fantastic Sams Cut & Color of Detroit

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

Part-time

PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Us:
Love to sculpt, shape and style? Color, perm and texturize? Fantastic Sams is a full service salon specializing in all these areas. Not just cuts, but COLOR and STYLE! Be the hair stylist you want to be.
It's an exciting time to join our team of professional hair stylists and colorists.We are a growing salon in need of filling our schedule and are looking for full and part time professional, licensed hair stylists for our main Salon. Flexible hours, fun and experienced staff to work with and plenty of professional training available.
Fantastic Sams Cut and Color is a team oriented, fun, and extremely creative salon. We are looking for a Cosmetologist Hair Stylist that is excited to create beautiful styles which will complement our guests look and feel!
Benefits:
  • Retail, back bar, color products and ongoing training are provided free
  • Vacation pay after your 1st year of service
  • Flexible scheduling
  • We offer Direct Deposit for payroll
  • Employee discounts on all retail products
  • Compensation is commission/hourly on a bi-weekly basis with bi-weekly and monthly bonuses

Desired Skills:
  • Hair cutting, shampooing, blow drying for men, women and children
  • Neck shaves
  • Color and Chemical Services on men and women
  • Facial waxing and up-dos for clients
  • A desire to keep up with current hair cutting and styling trends
  • Willingness to take part in free education provided by Fantastic Sams Cut and Color

Hair Stylist Responsibilities:
  • Provide exceptional full salon service to every and all clientele
  • Provide expert cuts for men, women and children
  • Provide color and chemical services for men and women
  • Maintain cleanliness of both your individual station, as well as the salon as a whole
  • Keep up to date on all current hair cutting/styling trends
  • Ensure all appointments are handled in a timely efficient manner
  • Take payments for services

Hair Stylist Qualifications:
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, fun, busy atmosphere
  • Capable of handling walk-in clients, in addition to scheduling appointments
  • Willingness to build a book off our traffic flow, and increase your paycheck
  • Valid Cosmetology license
  • Self-motivated, energetic, positive, and goal-oriented

Apply