A career in the beauty industry is one that many women and men look forward to entering with great anticipation and excitement. If you are considering a career in the field of cosmetology yourself, you will want to spend some time researching what you might be able to earn. The fact is that you can spend several years training to work in this field, and you do want to ensure that the salary potential of this job is suitable for your lifestyle and needs.
The Cosmetologist Salary Range
So just what is the average salary of a professional working in this field? The annual range of professionals working in this field is about $23,000, but this cosmetologist salary range varies quite a bit based on several different factors. In some cases, cosmetologists have been able to earn three times this average, if not more. While some of these positions are salaried, others are hourly. It is common for a beauty professional to earn between $7.5 and $11.50 per hour. However, there are some circumstances that may allow a beauty consultant to earn significantly higher than this average.
Geographic Location
One of the biggest factors affecting your earning potential as a beautician or cosmetology expert is your location. Professionals living in some states like California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Washington, to name a few, earned in excess of $30,000 per year on average as their cosmetologist salary. In fact, in Hawaii, the average annual income for this position is over $41,000 per year. In addition to the state, other geographic factors will play a role in your potential income as well. For instance, in general, a beauty expert can expect to earn a lower wage in a rural location when compared to a wage in a larger city or major metropolitan area. The socioeconomic characteristics of your work location inside your city will also affect potential income.
Experience Matters
In this field, as is the the case with most fields, experience does matter. Beauticians with less than a year of experience can generally expect to earn a wage closer to the lower end of the spectrum. In fact the average hourly rate of first year cosmetologists is about $7.50 to $10.50 per hour. In comparison, a cosmetology salary for those professionals who have over twenty years of experience may expect to earn up to $16 per hour.
The Type of Work
When you make the decision to enter this field, you are actually opening up quite a few different job opportunities and career prospects. You can, of course, work in a traditional beauty salon or spa, and the clientele of this venue will make a large difference in your wage earning abilities. While these spas and beauty salons may be among the most commonly considered venues for a cosmetologist to work, you should be aware that these are actually not the highest paid jobs for beauticians and cosmetologists. Among the best places to work for the highest income possibilities in this field are in film and TV studios, in the performing arts sector, in various types of hospitals, and other such venues. You can also choose to be a cosmetology instructor. Read about it here.
Your Education
The above factors are all critical factors that will play a large role in your ability to earn a competitive cosmetologist salary, but the importance of education cannot be overlooked as well. Most professionals in this field will earn a basic certifications in cosmetology, and there are specialized certifications that can be earned in addition to the basic certification. In addition, where you attend your courses can help to you land a position in one of the higher paid sections of this industry or otherwise in a higher end spa or salon with more extravagant clientele. Cosmetologists in New Jersey enjoy a lucrative career after graduating from schools in the area.
Earning Up To Your Potential
The fact is that while it is common for the salary to range between about $23,000 and $30,000, it is not unheard of for a professional working in this field to bring home an annual income of $60,000 or more. As you can see, there are several factors at play that will affect your earning potential. The good news is that you have a significant amount of control over many of these factors. For instance, rather than live in a rural location where your only job prospect may be to work in the only salon in town, you can relocate to a major metropolitan area in one of the states listed above that have a higher average salary for beauty professionals. Before you even enter into this career, you can make decisions that affect your income potential as well by choosing a top school to study at and earn your certification.
The Right Job For You?
After you have taken some time to learn more about the earning potential for a beauty professional and have learned what the average cosmetologist salary is, you will then need to make the decision about whether this is the right career choice for you. You do want to consider the income potential a job can generate, and as you can see, there are many opportunities for a professional in this field to advance and move into various sectors that may pay more than others. Other factors should also be considered when planning for the future. In addition to reviewing the average cosmetologist salary, you will also want to consider that many positions in this field offer a flexible work schedule, the ability to work part-time or full-time hours, and the ability to enjoy a variety of different and often exciting work environments.