Becoming a Beautician Can Be a Great Career Option

If you’re a people person, and you enjoy pleasing and helping people, if you’re creative, interested in style, health and well-being. and if you want to work for yourself, a career as a beautician might be the right choice for you. Beauticians focus on hair care and style. They are also trained to provide nail and skin care.

Beauticians provide treatments and use procedures and techniques that make the most of a client’s natural attributes. No matter what economic, social or political problems emerge, the public’s interest in and willingness to invest in personal appearance services is expected to remain strong. Many consider personal appearance an extension of health and well-being, which are priorities for many. If you think that a career as a beautician may interest you, keep reading to learn the basics on becoming one. 

How to Become a Beautician

All states require beauticians, which include barbers, hair stylists, manicurists and skin care specialists, to graduate from a state-approved beautician program. Training programs are typically available through post-secondary vocational schools where you will earn a certificate. But there are also many beautician and cosmetology schools located throughout the United States that offer diploma programs. Training for beauticians usually takes between nine and fifteen months.

The major difference between a beautician program through a vocational school and an independent accredited school is cost. Tuition for beautician schools vary, but it can run as high as $10,000 to $15,000.

Training and curriculum for beauticians cover the following areas:

• Hair cutting, styling and design
• Hair coloring
• Chemical treatments including perms and relaxers
• Makeup styles and techniques
• Hair removal procedures such as depilation and waxing
• Nail care and grooming
• Skin care
• Hygiene
• Relevant anatomy and physiology
• Skin health, care and treatments

Once you have graduated from a state-approved program or school, you will need a license to work. License requirements differ from state to state. When it comes to the number of hours of training you’ve completed, Massachusetts requires 1,000 hours while 1,200 hours are needed for a license in Florida. The average requirement is around 1,500 hours of training. You will also need to pass a licensing exam which typically involves a written test, and, in some cases, an oral exam and a practical test of styling skills.

Most beauticians fall into the category of hair stylists who help clients understand the best hair design for their face and features. They wash, color, condition, cut and style hair and help clients understand how to maintain a particular style. They may also assess and advise clients on other personal appearance issues and provide treatments that involve nail and skin care.

Generally, beauticians work full time in shops and salons. Some lease a booth or chair space from a salon owner and can use the opportunity to build a following of clients who appreciate their work. Often, beauticians launch their careers this way with the goal of eventually opening their own salon.

Jobs and Pay

Employment analysts predict jobs for beauticians will decline slightly, by about 1 percent, over the next decade. However, job opportunities are expected to remain high due to retirements and people seeking a career change as well as a growing population interested in personal appearance services.

Generally, beauticians work full time, including nights and weekends, in shops and salons. Some work in hotels and resorts providing services to guests. Others lease a booth or chair space from a salon owner and are able to use the opportunity to build a following of clients who appreciate their work. Often, beauticians launch their careers this way with the goal of eventually opening their own salon.

Surprisingly, beauticians earn only moderate incomes. As of 2019, the median hourly pay was $14.50. In addition to salary, Beauticians also receive tips from clients. Beauticians who either work or lease space in busy, high-end salons earn more, but competition for those jobs is high.