Beauticians And Cosmetologist Schools, Salaries, and Job Data
Beauticians and Cosmetologists Job Overview
Beauticians and cosmetologists provide hair care and a wide range of beauty services to their customers. Their main focus is on enhancing the appearance of those consumers. Beauticians and cosmetologists may offer services like manicures, pedicures and scalp and facial treatments. Makeup analysis and cleaning and styling of wigs and hairpieces are also part of a beautician and cosmetologist’s job. Those who have their own salons handle managerial duties including the hiring, supervising and firing workers, ordering supplies, keeping business and inventory records, as well as arranging for advertising.
Beauticians and Cosmetologists Schools and Degrees
A high school diploma or GED is required for beauticians and cosmetologists. Full-time programs in cosmetology usually last for 9 months and may lead to an associate’s degree. Beauticians and cosmetologists may also opt for advanced courses in skin care, hairstyling and other personal appearance services. Programs in sales and marketing are particularly beneficial for those wishing to operate their own businesses. To excel in this profession it is also necessary to be aware of the latest trends.
Job Requirements
All states in the US require beauticians and cosmetologists to be licensed. The requirements for a license vary from one state to the other, but it is generally mandatory for one to have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 16 years old and have graduated from a state-licensed cosmetology school. Before graduating, students are required to pass a state licensing examination.
Beauticians and cosmetologists should have an understanding of fashion, art and technical design. Since their work requires them to deal with clients, a lot of importance is given to interpersonal skills, image and attitude. Beauticians and cosmetologists should also be effective salespersons as client retention and retail sales are an important part of a salon’s revenue.
Nature of Work
The basic activities performed by beauticians and cosmetologists include the offering of beauty services such as shampooing, cutting, coloring and styling hair. They also apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal and provide nail and skin care services. Beauticians and cosmetologists usually work in clean, pleasant surroundings with good lighting and ventilation. They may suffer from irritation from exposure to hair and nail chemicals, and should wear protective gloves or aprons.
Beauticians and cosmetologists usually work for 40 hours a week, but longer hours are common, especially for those who run their own business. They generally work on weekends since beauty shops and salons are frequented by customers on these days. Some beauticians and cosmetologists also work part time.
Beauticians and Cosmetologists Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, beauticians and cosmetologists held about 617,000 jobs in the US. This number is expected to grow by 12% in the next ten years. Employment is the highest in the following industries:
Beauty Salons and Resort Spas
Department Stores
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Technical and Trade Schools
Television Studios, and Performing Arts Companies
The mean hourly wage for beauticians and cosmetologists in the US is about $12.38, while the mean annual wages are around $25,760.
Job Numbers and Growth
If you add up all the beauticians and cosmetologists in the country you get a total of about 617,000. There has been a very low unemployment rate for workers. An unfortunate 2% of employees were without jobs in 2008.
Area Job Conditions
Beauticians and cosmetologists appear most common in Mansfield (Ohio), Sheboygan (Wisconsin), and Ocean City (New Jersey), and least common in Albany (Georgia), Jackson (Mississippi), and Salinas (California).
Durham (North Carolina), Corvallis (Oregon), and Honolulu (Hawaii) offer the highest pay. Longview (Texas), Farmington (New Mexico), and Valdosta (Georgia) offer the lowest salaries.
Training and Education
A postsecondary vocational award is often necessary for working in the field. About 6% of beauticians and cosmetologists have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 42% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 51% of all. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Government statistics report that 31% of beauticians and cosmetologists are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 45%.
Beauticians And Cosmetologists by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.