There is just something so chic sounding about the word Cosmetologist. It is a profession that offers many career paths that can take you to the fast paced world of the full service salon or to the slower sole proprietor business operated from a special chair set up in the home. One of the most appealing features of this profession though is the fact you usually are self-employed, often set your own rates, and can set your own hours.
Cosmetologists do not always make a lot of money and a lot depends on where and how the career is established. But for most people working in this industry, the cosmetology salary is not the driving force. Factors such as being able to express your creative side, having the opportunity to work with people, and being able to control the work schedule far outweigh the salary.
Creative License to Make Others Look Their Best!
Cosmetologists earn their income through a combination of wages, commissions, and tips. How you will be paid depends a lot on where you work and the variety of skills you have. The term cosmetologist actually refers to a hair care professional but many cosmetologists will complete additional training in other personal care services such as pedicures or makeup.
The more variety of work you are able to accept, the more you are able to earn in general. Also, where you work has an enormous impact on how much you earn. When interested in cosmetology info about salary potential is found on the U.S. Department of Labor website. The average wage in Pennsylvania is $11.08 while it’s $15.09 in New Jersey. In Hawaii a cosmetologist can earn $20 an hour versus $14.83 in Vermont. These are significant differences.
Cosmetologists can earn their income in one or more ways.
- Hourly rate
- Annual salary
- Fee per service
- Commission
- Tips
There are many different pay arrangements found in the industry. For example, a cosmetologist can be paid a base hourly wage plus commission. Or the cosmetologist might be paid strictly on a commission basis. In some salons the hairdresser is paid based on the types of services supplied such as a fee per cut or fee per perm. The good news is that almost all cosmetologists will earn tips!
When commissions and tips are taken into account the average annual cosmetology salary earnings for a cosmetologist is $19,800. If that sounds low, don’t worry. This is an industry where people tend to begin at a low wage but can quickly advance after gaining some experience by changing salons. In addition, many of the large salons or salons located in large businesses like department stores offer some benefits like health insurance and vacation or sick leave time.
Looking to the Future of Cosmetology
The job outlook according to the U.S. Department of Labor is very good. That is partly due to the fact there is so much flexibility in this industry. You can seek employment in any city or town, or set up shop for yourself no matter where you live. It will be easier to find jobs in lower-end establishments though but that would be expected. There is a lot of competition for jobs in the more expensive salons because the earnings potential is higher and you can gain more prestige.
The projection is for a 12% growth in jobs for hairdressers over the ten year period running from 2006 to 2016. The growth is attributed to the following factors,
- Increasing population
- Increased demand for specialized hair services
- Increased number of unisex salons
- Increase in jobs available at spas and resorts
- Increase in number of retiring cosmetologists
As of 2006 there were 617,000 employed hairdressers. With the 12% growth there will be 77,000 more jobs by the year 2016.
The Industry You Work In Affects Your Pay
Hairdressers or cosmetologists can work in a number of industries. The industries hiring cosmetologists pay significantly different average hourly wages and so the choice of industry directly impacts the salary of cosmetology professionals.
- Motion Picture Industry $29.50 per hour
- Personal Care Services $12.96 per hour
- Vocational Schools $13.24 per hour
- Department Stores $ 9.73 per hour
- Hospitals $15.65 per hour
It is possible to earn up to $50,000 a year with tips in most salon jobs. The factors determining your income include the pay arrangement in place, the number of hours worked each week, size of the salon, location, and size of clientele. In addition, the range of services and specialties you offer also affect your earnings. For example, perms will generate more income than haircuts.
What are some of the other types of services you can offer in addition to hair cutting that give you more opportunity to earn excellent cosmetology salaries?
- Makeup and makeovers
- Hair removal
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Skin care
- Shampooer
Most cosmetologists you meet seem to truly enjoy their careers. You don’t hear of too many that quit working entirely because there always seems to be a demand for hairdressing services. This provides regular opportunities to earn a part-time income if you prefer not to work full-time. This is a great career that will provide employment for a lifetime if that’s what you want.
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