The effect of American Hairdressers’ Work Hours and Wage Level on Job Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance

Abstract

This study investigates the working environment of hairstylists in the United States and studies the difference in work-life balance and job satisfaction based on working hours and pay levels to improve the working environment of hairstylists and provide guidanc. In the DMV (D.C., Mayland, Virginia) region of the eastern United States, 100 active hairstylists were surveyed using an English Google form and the results were analyzed. The gender and age of American hairstylists were similar to those of Korea with flexible working hours and their salaries were 1.5 times higher than those in Korea. Also, 63% of hairstylists in the US were attending seminars or conferences or attending training programs to improve their job skills. In addition, although 58% of survey participants had more than 10 years of experience, there was no difference between groups in work-life balance and job satisfaction. In general, the average score of respondents over 10 years was high. There was a statistically significant difference in work-life balance according to the difference in working days (P<.05) and job satisfaction also showed a statistically significant difference between groups (P<.05). In addition, the average work-life balance of the group receiving a salary of $3,000 or more was high and there was a statistically significant difference (t=-2.241, p<.05) in the work-life balance based on difference in salary. The variables that significantly affected work-life balance were the number of working days (t=2.537, p<.05) and the pay level (t=2.178, p<.05) with the number of working days having a greater effect than the pay level. When job satisfaction is improved, job performance was enhanced and job immersion improved. Work life balance which is important to the MZ generation these days will also have an important effect on job commitment and performance. Call for increased salary level must also be considered. Because this study only targeted hairstylists in a specific region of the United States, it is somewhat difficult to generalize. Therefore, follow-up study will need to occur first, with expanded target region or country then conduct a qualitative approach study to find a more in-depth and detailed work environment improvement plan.