Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers receive income from a variety of sources. They may receive commissions based on the price of the service or a salary based on number of hours worked. All receive tips, and many receive commissions on the products they sell. In addition, some salons pay bonuses to employees who bring in new business.
Median annual earnings in 2002 for salaried hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including tips and commission, were $18,960. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,010 and $25,600. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $35,240.
Median annual earnings in 2002 for salaried barbers, including tips, were $19,550. The middle 50 percent earned between $14,540 and $27,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $37,370.
Among skin care specialists, median annual earnings, including tips, were $22,450; for manicurists and pedicurists, $17,330; and $14,360 for shampooers.
A number of factors determine the total income of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers, including the size and location of the salon, the number of hours worked, clients’ tipping habits, and competition from other barber shops and salons. Cosmetologists or barber’s initiative and ability to attract and hold regular clients also are key factors in determining his or her earnings. Earnings for entry-level workers are usually low; however, for those who stay in the profession, earnings can be considerably higher.
Although some salons offer paid vacations and medical benefits, many self-employed and part-time workers in this occupation do not enjoy such common benefits.
Barbers and cosmetologists, also called hairdressers and hairstylists, help people look neat and well-groomed. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, and skin care specialists provide specialized services that help clients look and feel their best.
Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair. Also, they fit hairpieces and offer scalp treatments and facial massages. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and offer permanent-wave services. Many barbers also provide skin care and nail treatments.
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair. They may advise clients on how to care for their hair, straighten hair or give it a permanent wave, or lighten or darken hair color. Additionally, cosmetologists may train to give manicures, pedicures, and scalp and facial treatments; provide makeup analysis; and clean and style wigs and hairpieces.
A number of workers offer specialized services. Manicurists and pedicurists, called nail technicians in some States, work exclusively on nails and provide manicures, pedicures, coloring, and nail extensions to clients. Another group of specialists is skin care specialists, or estheticians, who cleanse and beautify the skin by giving facials, full-body treatments, and head and neck massages and by removing hair through waxing. Electrologists use an electrolysis machine to remove hair. Finally, in some larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning clients’ hair.
In addition to their work with clients, personal appearance workers are expected to maintain clean work areas and sanitize all work implements. They may make appointments and keep records of hair color and permanent-wave formulas used by their regular clients. A growing number actively sell hair products and other cosmetic supplies. Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers who operate their own salons have managerial duties that include hiring, supervising, and firing workers, as well as keeping business and inventory records, ordering supplies, and arranging for advertising.
.Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012, because of increasing population, incomes, and demand for personal appearance services. In addition to those arising from job growth, numerous job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons. As a result, job opportunities generally should be good. However, competition is expected for jobs and clients at higher paying salons, as applicants compete with a large pool of licensed and experienced cosmetologists for these positions. Opportunities will be best for those licensed to provide a broad range of services.
Employment trends are expected to vary among the different specialties within this grouping of occupations. For example, slower than average growth is expected in employment of barbers due to a large number of retirements and the relatively small number of cosmetology school graduates opting to obtain barbering licenses. On the other hand, employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists should grow about as fast as average, because many now cut and style both men’s and women’s hair and because the demand for coloring services and other hair treatments, such as permanent waves, by teens and aging baby boomers is expected to remain steady or even grow.
Continued growth in the number of nail salons and full-service day spas will generate numerous job openings for manicurists, pedicurists, skin care specialists, and shampooers. Nail salons specialize in providing manicures and pedicures. Day spas typically provide a full range of services, including beauty wraps, manicures and pedicures, facials, and massages.
.All States require barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers to be licensed. Generally, a person must have graduated from a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. A few States require applicants to pass a physical examination. Some States require graduation from high school while others require as little as an eighth-grade education. In a few States, the completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a school, but very few barbers or cosmetologists learn their skills in this way. Applicants for a license usually are required to pass a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform basic barbering or cosmetology services.
Some States have reciprocity agreements that allow licensed barbers and cosmetologists to obtain a license in a different State without additional formal training. Other States do not recognize training or licenses obtained in another State; consequently, persons who wish to work in a particular State should review the laws of that State before entering a training program.
Public and private vocational schools offer daytime or evening classes in barbering and cosmetology. Full-time programs in barbering and cosmetology usually last 9 to 24 months, but training for manicurists and pedicurists, skin care specialists, and electrologists requires significantly less time. Formal training programs include classroom study, demonstrations, and practical work. Students study the basic services—cutting hair, shaving customers, providing facial massages, and giving hair and scalp treatments—and, under supervision, practice on customers in school “clinics.” Most schools also teach unisex hairstyling and chemical styling. Students attend lectures on the use and care of instruments, sanitation and hygiene, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and the recognition of simple skin ailments. Instruction also is provided in communication, sales, and general business practices. Experienced barbers and cosmetologists may take advanced courses in hairstyling, coloring, and the sale and service of hairpieces.
After graduating from a training program, students can take the State licensing examination, which consists of a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills based on established performance criteria. In many States, cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license, and vice versa.
For many barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers, formal training and a license are only the first steps in a career that requires years of continuing education. Because hairstyles change, new products are developed, and services expand to meet clients’ needs, personal appearance workers must keep abreast of the latest fashions and beauty techniques. They attend training at salons, cosmetology schools, or product shows. Through workshops and demonstrations of the latest techniques, industry representatives introduce cosmetologists to a wide range of products and services. As retail sales become an increasingly important part of salons’ revenue, the ability to be an effective salesperson becomes vital for salon workers. Communication, image, and attitude play an important role in career success. Some cosmetology schools consider “people skills” to be such an integral part of the job that they require coursework in this area.
During their first months on the job, new workers are given relatively simple tasks or are assigned the simpler hairstyling patterns. Once they have demonstrated their skills, they are gradually permitted to perform more complicated tasks, such as coloring hair or applying a permanent wave. As they continue to work in the field, more training is usually required to learn the techniques used in each salon and to build on the basics learned in cosmetology school.
Other workers who provide a personal service to clients and usually must be professionally licensed or certified include massage therapists and fitness workers.
A list of licensed training schools and licensing requirements for cosmetologists may be obtained from:
Information about a career in cosmetology is available from:
For details on State licensing requirements and approved barber or cosmetology schools, contact the State boards of barber or cosmetology examiners in your State capital.
Nature of the Work Looking your best has never been easy. It requires the perfect hairstyle, exquisite nails, a neatly trimmed beard, or the proper make-up to accent your coloring. More and more, it also requires the services of barbers and cosmetologists. These workers, who are often called hairstylists, may advise patrons on how to care for their hair, straighten or permanent wave a customer's hair, or lighten or darken hair color. A growing number of workers in cosmetology offer specialized services.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/68.htm
All barbers and cosmetologists must be licensed. It requires the perfect hairstyle, exquisite nails, a neatly trimmed beard, or the proper make-up to accent your coloring. More and more, it also requires the services of barbers and cosmetologists. A growing number of workers in cosmetology offer specialized services. In addition to their work with customers, barbers and cosmetologists are expected to keep their work area clean and their hairdressing implements sanitized.
Summary of: http://www.analyzemycareer.com/index.cfm?auid=256&action=careerSearch&subAction=view&id=12973
Barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers must be licensed. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, and skin care specialists provide specialized services that help clients look and feel their best. Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and offer permanent wave services. Finally, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning clients’ hair in some larger salons.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20022003/ocos169.htm
All barbers and cosmetologists must be licensed. It requires the perfect hairstyle, exquisite nails, a neatly trimmed beard, or the proper make-up to accent your coloring. More and more, it also requires the services of barbers and cosmetologists. A growing number of workers in cosmetology offer specialized services. In addition to their work with customers, barbers and cosmetologists are expected to keep their work area clean and their hairdressing implements sanitized.
Summary of: http://www.jobbankusa.com/ohb/ohb169.html
Barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers must be licensed. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, and skin care specialists provide specialized services that help clients look and feel their best. Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and offer permanent-wave services. Finally, in some larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning clients’ hair.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos169.htm
WORK PROFILE Looking your best has never been easy. It requires the perfect hairstyle, exquisite nails, a neatly trimmed beard, or the proper make-up to accent your coloring. Although tastes and fashions change from year to year, the basic task of barbers and cosmetologists has remained the same-helping people to look their best. Many people still go to a barber for a haircut, but an increasing number seek more personalized hairstyling services, such as perms or coloring. These workers, who are often called hairstylists, may advise patrons on how to care for their hair, straighten or permanent wave a customer's hair, or lighten or darken hair color.
Summary of: http://www.zatang.com/categories/education/careers/vikas/cosmetologists.htm
Almost half of all personal appearance workers are self-employed. And in ancient Asia and Greece, people used pumice to exfoliate (remove dead layers from) their skin. For example, tattooing, a recent fad among Westerners, is a long-held tradition in other parts of the world. As a personal appearance worker, you'll keep an eye on changing trends, helping people keep up with the times and look their best. Barbers and cosmetologists (also called hairdressers and hairstylists) cut, color, and style people's hair.
Summary of: http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/102254.html
Although styles change from year to year, the cosmetologist's task remains the same--to help people look attractive. Cosmetologists, also called beauty operators, hairstylists, or beauticians, shampoo, cut and style hair, and advise patrons on how to care for their hair. Related workers include makeupartists, who apply makeup to performers; electrologists, who remove hair from skin by electrolysis; and estheticians, who cleanse and beautify the skin. All cities and towns have beauty salons, but employment is concentrated in the most populous cities and States. Generally, a person must have graduated from a State-licensed cosmetology school, pass a physical examination, and be at least 16 years old.
Summary of: http://home-based-business-news.com/Careers/CAR10.htm
It requires the perfect hairstyle, exquisite nails, a neatly trimmed beard, or the proper make-up to accent your coloring. More and more, it also requires the services of barbers and cosmetologists. In most States, barbers are licensed to perform all the duties of cosmetologists except skin care and nail treatment. These workers, who are often called hairstylists, may advise patrons on how to care for their hair, straighten or permanent wave a customer's hair, or lighten or darken hair color. Generally, a person must have graduated from a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school, pass a physical examination, and be at least 16 years old.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos169.html
Barbers and cosmetologists, also called hairdressers and hairstylists, help people look neat and well-groomed. Many barbers also provide skin care and nail treatments. They may advise clients on how to care for their hair, straighten hair or give it a permanent wave, or lighten or darken hair color. A number of workers offer specialized services. Finally, in some larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning clients' hair.
Summary of: http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/USbarbers.htm