Professional
Training
The road to a
profession in cosmetology usually begins in cosmetology school like Carousel
Beauty Colleges. At present, there are slightly over 200,000 students
enrolled in between 3,900 and 4,500 private and public cosmetology schools.
Approximately 2,900 of these schools are private, with 1,813 nationally
accredited. Cosmetology programs usually last six months to one year depending
on the number training hours required by the state to obtain a cosmetology
license. In addition to training, students must pass a state licensing
examination to become a licensed cosmetologist. There are currently 1.6
to 1.7 million licensed cosmetologists. A number of them maintain their
license even though they are not interested in working. It is a form of
employment insurance which they can utilize when needed.
Licensed
Cosmetologists are in Demand
As the job market
stands today, the demand for cosmetologists is very high. Over the past
several years, enrollment in cosmetology schools has been stagnate, while
the number of salons has been on the rise. This has provided increasing
job opportunities for licensed cosmetologists. Also, similar to many services
industries, economic conditions have a direct impact on the employment
opportunities in cosmetology. Job opportunities increase noticeably during
periods of economic upswings as is being experienced currently. The demand
for full-time and part-time cosmetologists will continue to grow for the
foreseeable future. The Labor Department estimates an 18 percent increase
in employment opportunities for cosmetologists through the year 2000.
A Rewarding
Career
Cosmetology is
not an easy profession in which to begin, and success is tied directly
to developing a steady clientele. This, in turn, depends on technical
skills, experience, a sense of how to deal with clients, and a personal
style. Even well trained entrants to the field find the first year difficult
financially, but for those who settle into the profession, cosmetology
can be a long and economically rewarding career.
Increased
Earning Power
In 1990, the
average salary for full-time cosmetologists was $25,931 and $4,546 in
tips. In 1996 the average base income per full-time employee was estimated
to be about $32,000. Based upon a typical 50% commission factor, the average
1998 income for salon employees was $16.92 per hour while salon owners
averaged $22.03 per hour. The corresponding full-time salaries are $45,822
for salon owners, $35,193 for salon employees and $38,563 for all professionals,
both employees and salon owners, inclusive of tips.
Demographics
The demographics
of cosmetologists is parallel to that of the general population. The one
exception is the high proportion of females which make up nearly 73 percent
of the profession. Over 89 percent of cosmetologists were white, 7.5 percent
black, and 6.4 percent Hispanic. Over 56 percent of the employees have
been working in the field for over five years. Cosmetologists are evenly
distributed over the age spectrum with the majority between 30 and 45
years old.
A Growing
Billion Dollar Industry
The salon industry
grosses about $50 billion per year. This economic growth is expected to
keep pace with the economy. The industry will continue to provide not
only entry level opportunities for young people, but a chance for women
and minorities to move into management positions and ownership of their
own business.
Key Findings
In January 1999,
there were 1,286,000 professionals employed in the nation's 296,563 Beauty
Salons, Barber Shops, Unisex Salons, and Nail Salons. The typical salon
serves 174 clients per week and has five stations, two or three full-time
professionals, one part-time professional and one booth renter.
Salon owners are typically interested in expanding their businesses -
reporting that they had enough business last year to support an additional
419,000 positions. It is, however, a job seekers market. Approximately
three out of every four salon owners reported difficulty in finding new
applicants.
There is a great deal of mobility in the industry. One out of every three
salon employees changed jobs last year. There were nearly 500,000 job
openings or 1.4 per establishment. Considering that half of the establishments
have less than four people, this is an enormous turn-over rate. Employees
are leaving to work in other salon establishments. Nearly 12% leave to
open their own establishment and 19% become booth renters. Only 14% leave
the industry altogether .
Other Facts
of Interest
70% of salon
owners classified their salon as a Full Service salon, 13% as a Haircutting
Salon, 4% as a Nail Salon and 9% as a Barber Shop.
60% of salon employees work full time, 29% are part-time, and 11% are
low-time (less than 20 hours).
The average salon income including tips average about $18.50 per hour.
While manicurists are only 2.6% of the industry's employees, some 21%
of the anticipated vacancies are for salon professionals with those skills.
Carousel Beauty Colleges
125 East Second Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
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Carousel Beauty Colleges. All rights reserved.
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