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Hair Color Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Hair Color information

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How much do hair color jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for hair color in California is $20.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a hair colorist do?

Hair colorists are professionals who specialize in changing or enhancing the color of a person's hair. They use various techniques, such as highlights, balayage, ombre, and all-over color, to achieve the desired look for their clients. Hair colorists assess hair condition, recommend suitable color options, mix and apply dyes, and provide aftercare advice to maintain hair health and color vibrancy. They often work in salons and must keep up-to-date with the latest trends and products in hair coloring.

What are some common challenges hair colorists face when working with clients seeking dramatic color changes?

Hair colorists often encounter challenges when clients request significant changes, such as shifting from dark to very light shades or correcting previous color treatments. These processes can require multiple sessions to maintain hair health and achieve the desired result, and clients may need to adjust their expectations regarding time and cost. Building trust and clear communication with clients is essential, as is staying updated on the latest techniques and products to minimize damage and deliver professional results.

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

To thrive as a Hair Colorist, you need expertise in hair coloring techniques, color theory, and hair health, often supported by a cosmetology license. Familiarity with salon tools, hair color products, and safety regulations is essential, along with experience using booking or salon management software. Strong communication, creativity, and attention to detail set top professionals apart in this field. These skills ensure client satisfaction, deliver safe and personalized results, and help build a loyal clientele.

What is the difference between Hair Color vs Hair Stylist?

AspectHair ColorHair Stylist
CredentialsCosmetology license, hair coloring certificationsCosmetology license, styling certifications
Work EnvironmentSalons, beauty clinics, freelanceSalons, spas, salons chains
Industry UsageFocuses on hair coloring techniquesProvides cutting, styling, coloring services
Common Search IntentJobs specializing in hair coloringJobs involving hair styling and coloring

Hair Color professionals specialize in applying hair dyes and coloring techniques, often focusing solely on color treatments. Hair Stylists offer a broader range of services, including cutting, styling, and coloring. While both roles require cosmetology licenses, Hair Color specialists focus more on color-specific skills, whereas Hair Stylists provide comprehensive hair care services.

How do you become a hair colorist?

To become a hair colorist, you typically need to complete a cosmetology program and obtain a state license, which involves coursework and passing a licensing exam. Gaining experience through apprenticeships or working in salons helps develop skills in coloring techniques and customer service.
Hair Color jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hair Color job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,223 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

Hair Color Chemist

John Paul Mitchell Systems

Santa Clarita, CA

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Description:

Who We Are

John Paul Mitchell Systems (“JPMS”) is recognized worldwide for developing and marketing innovative hair and skin care products since 1980. We’ve been serving the professional beauty industry with salon-quality hair care products, styling tools and professional hair color through our family of brands including Paul Mitchell, MITCH, Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell Tools, Neuro, The Demi, Paul Mitchell the Color, Blonde, and Color XG.

We were the first professional hair care company to take a stand against animal testing and continue our strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally. Sustainability has always been a priority, and we are committed to making our company operations climate neutral to preserve the beauty of the world around us.


Who You Are: 

You are a skilled and enthusiastic, high-performing professional who is passionate about hair care and wants to positively contribute to the growth of our iconic brand as well as to our people first culture.


About the Role 

We are seeking a Hair Color Chemist to join our R&D color team, supporting the formulation, optimization, and evaluation of high-performance professional hair color products. This is a hands-on bench role for a scientist who brings technical depth in color chemistry, genuine curiosity for formulation, and the discipline to execute with rigor in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.


You will work closely with the Principal Hair Color Chemist to develop shade palettes, optimize formulas, execute performance and stability testing, and support manufacturing scale-up. The right candidate is a specialist who understands oxidative systems, developer chemistry, and alkalizing agents, and who approaches every formula with scientific rigor and an uncompromising eye for quality.


This role works fully onsite in our Santa Clarita lab. It requires up to 10% travel.


What You will Do:

  • Formulate and optimize professional hair color products — permanent, demi/semi-permanent, lighteners, and developers — from bench development through scale-up support
  • Develop shade palettes, tones, and coverage levels based on project briefs, stylist feedback, and competitive benchmarks
  • Prepare and manage lab batches, maintaining accurate formulas, records, and version control throughout the development process
  • Plan and execute performance, stability, and compatibility testing; analyze results and recommend formula improvements based on data
  • Investigate formulation and manufacturing issues, identifying root causes and implementing solutions grounded in technical evidence
  • Evaluate and select raw materials within established platforms, balancing safety, regulatory, cost, and performance requirements; collaborate with suppliers as needed
  • Maintain complete and accurate technical documentation, including formulas, batch records, test reports, and change documentation
  • Partner with Marketing, Education, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and Manufacturing to support product delivery against performance, claims, cost, and timeline objectives
  • Support manufacturing scale-up by documenting critical process parameters and providing on-call technical guidance during production
  • Provide technical support for regulatory submissions, safety assessments, claims substantiation, and internal product inquiries
  • Support stylist and salon testing programs, capturing consumer and stylist feedback and translating it into actionable formulation improvements
  • Contribute to product usage instructions, education materials, and application best practices from a formulation standpoint
  • Ensure compliance with cosmetic regulations, company standards, and laboratory safety procedures
  • Stay current on hair color technologies, ingredient innovations, and competitive products; continuously deepen expertise in hair fiber science and color chemistry
Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

Skills: 

  • Solid understanding of cosmetic chemistry fundamentals: polymers, conditioning systems, emulsions, rheology modifiers, and surfactants
  • Experience transferring formulas from lab scale to manufacturing, with an understanding of critical process parameters
  • Working knowledge of global cosmetic regulations (US and EU)
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail and follow-through
  • Clear communicator — able to present technical findings and test results clearly to cross-functional stakeholders
  • Collaborative and team-oriented; comfortable working closely with senior chemists and cross-functional partners

Education: 

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field required

Experience: 

  • 3+ years of hands-on laboratory formulation experience in hair color, hair care or color cosmetics

Preferred Qualifications:

Skills: 

  • Hands-on formulation experience in hair color development — strongly preferred; experience with oxidative dye systems, semi-permanent dyes, alkalizing agents, bleaching chemistry, developers, and tone control technologies
  • Experience in professional salon brands or with salon-channel products
  • Experience supporting global launches or working across multi-market regulatory frameworks
  • Familiarity with the professional salon market and awareness of consumer and stylist needs and expectations
  • Exposure to color cosmetics or adjacent beauty categories

Education:  

  • Master's degree preferred

Experience: 

  • Hands-on formulation experience in hair color development — strongly preferred; experience with oxidative dye systems, semi-permanent dyes, alkalizing agents, bleaching chemistry, developers, and tone control technologies

We are eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. If you think you would be a good fit for the position and our company, we invite you to apply. 

Working Conditions

  • On-site, full-time at the California R&D facility (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Up to 10% travel for Contract Manufacturer visits, salon validation, or innovation support

Competitive Compensation: 

  • The expected base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including geographic location, experience, skills, and education.
  • Discretionary Bonus Plan: This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan, based on personal performance and company results.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package: In addition to base salary, JPMS offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, discretionary vacation time, and more.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. 


Salary Description
$ 85000.00 - $ 95000.00

Compensation details: 85000-95000 Yearly Salary


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