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Information about Cosmetology Programs

Cosmetologists and barbers focus on providing hair care services to enhance the appearance of consumers. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, theatrical and performance makeup artists, and skin care specialists provide specialized beauty services that help their clients look and feel their best.

Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair mostly for male clients. They also may fit hairpieces and offer scalp treatments and facial shaving. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and to offer permanent-wave services.

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists offer a wide range of beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling of hair. They may advise clients on how to care for their hair at home. In addition, cosmetologists may be trained to give manicures, pedicures, and scalp and facial treatments; provide makeup analysis; and clean and style wigs and hairpieces.

Manicurists and pedicurists, called nail technicians in some States, work exclusively on nails and provide manicures, pedicures, polishing, 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 as well as apply makeup. They also may remove hair through waxing or, if properly trained, laser treatments. Theatrical and performance makeup artists, apply makeup to enhance performing artists’ appearance for movie, television, or stage performances. Finally, in larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning hair.

Cosmetology Job Types

Barbers
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Skin care specialists (estheticians)
Manicurists and pedicurists (nail technicians)
Shampooers

Education Required for Cosmetologists

All States require barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers to be licensed, with the exceptions of shampooers and makeup artists.

A high school diploma or GED is required for some personal appearance workers in some States. In addition, most States require barbers and cosmetologists to complete a program in a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school. Programs in hairstyling, skin care, and other personal appearance services can be found in both high schools and in public or private postsecondary vocational schools.

Full-time programs in barbering and cosmetology usually last 9 months and may lead to an associate degree, but training for manicurists and pedicurists and skin care specialists requires significantly less time. Makeup artists can attend schools that specialize in this subject, but it is not required.

Employment Outlook in Cosmetology

Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow slightly faster than the average for all occupations. Opportunities for entry level workers should be favorable, while job candidates at high-end establishments will face keen competition.

• Personal appearance workers will grow by 14 percent, which is faster than the average
• Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers held about 825,000 jobs in 2006.
• About 46 percent of all barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers are self-employed. Many of these workers own their own salon, but a growing number of the self-employed lease booth space or a chair from the salon’s owner.

Earnings and Pay Information for Cosmetology

Median hourly earnings in May 2006 are as follows:

Skin care specialists, including tips	$12.58
Salaried barbers, including tips	$11.13
Salaried hairstylists and cosmetologists, including tips and commission	$10.25
Manicurists and pedicurists	$9.23
Shampooers	$7.78

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos169.htm

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