Cosmetology is a popular career path that focuses on offering cosmetic treatments.
Because cosmetology is a trade, you must demonstrate that you possess the abilities necessary by your state to practice it lawfully.
If you want to be a cosmetologist, you may find out what talents you’ll need by doing some study.
In this article, we will explain cosmetologists and how much does a cosmetologist makes for those who are interested in becoming a cosmetologist.
Summary
| Guide | How Much Does a Cosmetologist Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $69,768 annually |
| Highest Income | $110,000 annually |
| Education Qualification | Required |
| Training Programs | Available |
Who Are Cosmetologists?
A cosmetologist is a certified practitioner who improves a client’s appearance by treating their hair, skin, and nails.
They cut, color, paint, place fake nails, and provide facials and cosmetic treatments.
They may work in salons with other cosmetology experts or operate independently and provide treatments in their clients’ homes.
How Much Does A Cosmetologist Make?
Cosmetologists generally get their salary on an hourly basis rather than on a salary.
Their precise earnings vary on geographical conditions, the size of their business, their experience level, and earning tips.
The average hourly wage for cosmetologists in the United States is $30.60 per hour or $69,768 per year.
How Much Does Cosmetologist Make an Hour?
Cosmetologists makes a minimum of $6.73 an hour and a maximum of $27.88 an hour.
How Much Does Cosmetologist Make an Month?
Cosmetologists makes a minimum of $1,167 a month and a maximum of $4,833 a month.
How Much Does Cosmetologist Make an Year?
Cosmetologists makes a minimum of $14,000 a year and a maximum of $58,000 a year.
Highest Salary of Cosmetologists In 2023
Cosmetologists have varying salaries, and this includes to top 10% of cosmetologists because depending on where you work and what exactly you do, your salary could go up substantially and be different from other cosmetologists.
However, on average, the top 10% of earners of cosmetologists earn around $110,000 annually.
This is a good number when we compare it to the average salary of all cosmetologists.
Is Being a Cosmetologist Good or Bad?
Cosmetologists mostly work in salons or spas, although they may also be found in resorts, hotels, bigger salon chains, and salons within department stores.
Many cosmetologists work as independent contractors, renting booths from salon owners, while others create their own salons.
Overall, it is a comfortable and flexible job, but you also need to deal with problematic clients when or if you have one.
That also requires stress management and patience. If you think you can handle this and that you can be successful in dealing with clients, being a cosmetologist is not a bad profession.
Pros and Cons of Being A Cosmetologist
Pros
- Excellent money
- Entrepreneurial options
- Flexibility
- Shorter schooling time
Cons
- Takes time to create a name
- Physically demanding
- Competitive
How to Become a Cosmetologist?
Here’s how you can become a Cosmetologist:
- Get a secondary school diploma before enrolling in a beauty school.
- Start applying for a Bachelor of Health Science or an equivalent program. The majority of cosmetology licensure programs last one or two years, and you need to complete them at a state-approved cosmetology school.
- Exams for obtaining a state cosmetology certification are generally already included in the process of graduating from a cosmetology school.
- Get your certifications before you start with your vocational training.
- In the United States, a cosmetologist needs specialized vocational training, cosmetology certification, and a state-issued license.
- Once you have it in place, start applying for the job role & start building your clientele.
How Many Hours Does a Cosmetologist work?
There is no single answer to this because cosmetologists may be employed under someone or may be self-employed, and based on this and their level of skills, their working hours may differ.
However, on average, a Cosmetologist work between 30-45 hours a week.
What is the Starting Pay of a Cosmetologist?
Cosmetology is an extremely lucrative career option, but the money would come in with time. The starting pay of a cosmetologist is only $6.73 an hour or $14,000 a year, but with time you can make a lot of money and can even turn this profession into an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Cosmetologist Training Programs
Cosmetologists must complete between 1,000 and 2,200 hours of practical training before graduating with their degree and taking the state cosmetology examination, depending on the state they are attempting to get their license in.
This practical training entails time spent in a school-supervised salon washing, cutting, styling, and coloring customers’ hair, as well as time spent offering manicures, pedicures, cosmetics applications, and face cleaning services.
Conclusion
As you can see, being a cosmetologist is rather a calm and flexible profession but with a couple of disadvantages, like trying to handle problematic clients if you ever come across one.
The salary is good enough, especially if you are a senior and in the top 10%.
You can also own your own salon and earn way higher than a normal salary, but that is generally risky.
However, some people choose the cosmetologist profession because it is a good job for many.
FAQ
How much does a cosmetologist make when they are in training?
When you are in training, you are also studying, and you do not get any kind of salary during your training hours since they are a must-have, and you go through it while you are studying.
How much does a cosmetologist make when they have their own salon?
There are no certain numbers for this; it all depends on how many clients you can have and how many people work for you to handle the client load.
How much does a cosmetologist make when they are a senior at someone's salon?
If you are a senior, you tend to earn in the top 10% of all cosmetologists.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
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