New year, new career? There are jobs in cosmetology offering high-paying careers in the beauty industry that provide personal care services. Cosmetologists can find lucrative jobs in hotels, exclusive spas, resorts, and beauty salons. To find the highest-paying jobs in cosmetology, you must specialize in areas where there’s the greatest demand.
A cosmetology degree trains you to work in various positions in the beauty industry. For example, you could specialize as a nail technician, hair designer, stylist assistant, beautician, or theatrical makeup artist. After getting a degree in cosmetology, some graduates find jobs that pay well as public relations specialists, beauty therapists, and beauty salon managers.
What are the highest paying cosmetology jobs out there? Read on to find out.
Why Choose a Career in Cosmetology?
Cosmetology jobs are ideal for anyone who has an interest in beauty, fashion, and personal care. Apart from earning good money, jobs in cosmetology offer flexible working schedules, varied work environments, and a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. From all the careers available, cosmetology provides a tremendous variety of specialization.
Getting a high-paying job is also another reason to choose a career in cosmetology. Although the average base salary is around $17 per hour, many specialized cosmetology jobs can pay between $35 and $50 per hour.
With high demand in the beauty industry thanks to social media and the emphasis on appearances, cosmetology graduates have plenty of job opportunities.
How to Become a Cosmetologist
It takes between nine months and two years to complete a cosmetology program. You must attend an accredited college or vocational school where you will learn about hairstyling, skincare, nail care, sales, and marketing. You can also major in a specific area to get specialized training and find a higher-paying cosmetology job.
After graduating, you must obtain a license to work professionally if you want to provide beauty care services to the public.
Related Reading: 5 skills you can learn in cosmetology school.
The Highest Paying Cosmetology Jobs
Here are some options for finding cosmetology jobs that pay exceptionally well. You will also find data about job growth and projected earnings for providing beauty-related services.
1. Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist
Some of the highest-paying jobs in cosmetology are in the performing arts industry. Applying makeup and special effects to performers pays exceptionally well. Makeup artists have to change a performer’s appearance to reflect a time period, setting, or replicate specific injuries. To qualify as a performance makeup artist, you need a high school diploma and complete a certificate program at a vocational school.
The average wage for performance makeup artists is $81,600. However, the highest paying makeup artists jobs can pay as much as $145,420.
2. Skincare Specialist
Skincare specialists are among the top high-paying jobs in cosmetology. When working as a skincare specialist, you apply various skin treatments to improve a person’s appearance. Specializing in skincare allows you to work as an esthetician. This type of work involves hair removal, body wraps, facials, and permanent makeup. In some cases, you can get a master’s degree and progress to become a dermatologist who earns even more money.
Skincare specialists earn between $34,000 and $60,000, and there is job growth of 17 percent, which is faster than the nation’s average.
3. Corporate Cosmetology Instructor
Another high-paying cosmetology job is working as a corporate instructor. As a corporate trainer, you provide instruction to others on how to apply beauty and skincare products. You may have to collect feedback, give presentations, or create instructional materials. To become a cosmetology instructor, you need at least three years’ experience in the beauty industry.
Corporate cosmetology instructors can earn, on average, $50,000. However, some of the top-paid cosmetology instructors earn up to $80,000.
4. Public Relations Cosmetology Specialist
You can take your cosmetology career to the next level by becoming a public relations specialist. Working as a public relations specialist in the beauty industry pays exceptionally well. You are responsible for cosmetology’s brand and reputation. To boost their brand, you have to promote the brand’s image in the press, TV, and social media. Because beauty product companies care so much about their image, they are willing to pay an excellent salary.
Public relations cosmetology specialists can expect to earn around $61,000. However, the top 10 percent earn over $112,000. With faster than average job growth in the industry, there are many work opportunities.
5. Beauty Copywriter
After working for a few years in cosmetology, you can get a higher-paying position by becoming a beauty copywriter. To further your cosmetology career, you can get a degree in journalism. But as a beauty copywriter, you’re responsible for creating educational and advertising content. You should have an eye for detail and develop the skills to market products to increase sales and revenue.
Some cosmetologists have become social medial influencers and bloggers. All it takes is an interest in beauty and not being shy of social media. Some social media beauty bloggers are among the highest-paid earners in cosmetology and take home hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Working as a corporate beauty copywriter, you can expect to earn around $51,000 per year. If you start a successful blog, you could be making even more.
6. Beauty Salon Owner
After you have experience in the cosmetology industry, you can increase your earnings by owning your own beauty salon. Most cosmetology degree programs have courses on business management and entrepreneurship. As you build up a solid client base, develop your skills, and specialize in various cosmetology areas, you will be able to start your own business. In some cases, you can provide individual procedures to clients. Or you could rent chairs to other cosmetologists.
As an owner of a beauty salon, you will be among the highest-paid cosmetologists in the industry. The average salary is between $69,000 and $174,000.
Highest Paying Jobs in Cosmetology — In Conclusion
A career in cosmetology can result in a high-paying job. All you need to get started is two years of training in cosmetology school. Depending on your specialty and career path, you could be earning top dollar providing beauty services to clients or working with corporations as a beauty consultant.