Cosmetology

Cosmetologists provide personal care services that include caring for people's hair, skin, and nails. Beauty professionals employed in the cosmetology industry include hair stylists, barbers, and estheticians, also called skin care specialists.

More than 866,300 people worked in cosmetology careers in 2016.

Cosmetology Duties & Responsibilities

Many of the associated duties of hair stylists, barbers, and estheticians are the same, but some are unique to their exact profession. Overall, most include:

• Shampoo, cut, style, color, curl, or straighten hair.
• Provide clients with information about what styles and colors are best for them based on their hair's texture, condition, color, and their complexion.
• Shave beards and perform facials.
• Use cosmetics to enhance or change an actor's or performer's appearance.
• Treat peoples' skin, evaluating skin condition and applying treatments after discussing alternatives.

Some states allow barbers to apply color, and to bleach and use chemicals to straighten or curl hair.

Cosmetology Salary

These professions have slightly different pay thresholds.

Hair stylists and cosmetologists:

• Median Annual Salary: $24,850 ($11.95/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $50,669 ($24.36/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $18,158 ($8.73/hour)

Barbers:

• Median Annual Salary: $25,650 ($12.33/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $48,484 ($23.31/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $18,616 ($8.95/hour)

Estheticians:

• Median Annual Salary: $30,080 ($14.46/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $58,801 ($28.27/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $18,657 ($8.97/hour)

Pathway at LEHS: