Barbering
Many individuals choose to become barbers due to the creative outlet it provides, allowing them to express themselves through hairstyling and grooming. Additionally, the flexible work hours and potential for entrepreneurship attract people seeking independence and control over their careers.
The career prospects for barbers are promising, with opportunities to work in barbershops, salons, or even start their own businesses. As grooming and self-care become increasingly important in modern society, skilled barbers are in demand, offering stable job security and the potential for growth within the industry.
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is appealing to creative types for its artistic nature, enabling them to unleash their creativity through hair, makeup, and skincare techniques. The diverse range of services within cosmetology, including hairstyling, color treatments, facials, and manicures, provides opportunities for specialization and skill development.
Career prospects in cosmetology are promising, with options to work in salons, spas, beauty clinics, or even pursue freelance work. As society’s emphasis on personal grooming and appearance continues to grow, cosmetologists are in high demand, offering stable job opportunities and the potential for advancement within the beauty industry.
Makeup Artist
Do you have a passion for beauty, artistry, and self-expression? Makeup artistry offers the opportunity to transform faces, enhance features, and create stunning looks for various occasions, from weddings to fashion shows.
The career prospects for makeup artists are diverse, ranging from working in salons, spas, and cosmetic stores to freelancing for events, photo shoots, film, and television. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, there’s an increasing demand for skilled makeup artists who can create unique and captivating looks, providing ample opportunities for growth and success in the industry.
Nail Tech
Becoming a nail technician appeals to those passionate about beauty, fashion, and creativity. Nail techs have the opportunity to express their artistic flair through intricate nail designs, manicures, and pedicures. Career prospects in nail technology are promising, with opportunities to work in salons, spas, nail bars, and even luxury resorts or cruise ships.
Additionally, some nail technicians choose to become independent contractors, offering mobile services or operating their own nail salons. With the growing demand for nail care and the trend of nail art, the field offers room for advancement and entrepreneurship for skilled professionals.
Esthetician
Becoming an esthetician attracts individuals with a passion for skincare, beauty, and wellness. Estheticians specialize in providing facial treatments, hair removal, and skincare advice to clients, helping them achieve healthier and more radiant skin.
Career prospects for estheticians are promising, with opportunities in spas, salons, skincare clinics, and even medical settings like dermatology offices. Additionally, some estheticians choose to become freelance professionals, offering their services independently or even launching their own skincare product lines. With the increasing focus on self-care and the growing demand for personalized skincare solutions, the field of esthetics offers ample opportunities for growth and creativity.
Overview of the Industry
Cosmetology programs teach the professional skill of beautifying hair, skin, or the face. Prospective students get to choose a specialty. Some cosmetologists go on to successful careers in barbering, while others may focus on nail care and become manicurists.
Beauty Industry Requirements
All jobs in the industry require employees to have a license. Candidates become eligible after graduating from an accredited school. For nail and skin care, completing a degree does not qualify people to practice. Hopefuls also need to pass practical and written state examinations throughout most of the US.
Cosmetology Program Career Outlook
Since most services offered by cosmetologists are an affordable luxury, the demand remains steady. Most barbers, hairdressers, and manicurists make an average of $12 an hour. Of course, experience and tips can affect hourly wages. Estheticians can earn pay rates closer to $14 as entry-level employees.
Common Tasks
Based on which classes a person decides to take, their daily lives as professionals will look different. However, regardless of job title, cosmetologists have to follow certain sanitation standards, like cleaning equipment and stations between uses, as well as at the end of the day.
In addition, barbers and hairstylists traditionally cut, style, and color hair. They may also groom beards and wigs, depending on the where they work and what they’re trained to do. Manicurists and pedicurists clean, trim, file, and paint nails. They also provide massages, as well as exfoliating and moisturizing treatments.
Finally, skin care specialists might remove unwanted hair, apply makeup, and recommend skincare regimens, including the use of certain products. Facials, full-body treatments, and head and neck massages also often fall under the duty of estheticians.
Trade Schools with Cosmetology and Barbering Programs
- Chattanooga State Community College
- Weatherford College
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College
- Grayson College
- Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
- Trinidad State College
- Ogle School
- Master Barbering Academy
- Daytona College
- Warwick Area Career & Technical Center
- Providence Career & Technical Academy
- Northwood Technical College
- Sun Coast Technical College
- Tom P Haney Technical College
- Bellus Academy
- Kansas City Community College
- Fort Hays Tech Northwest
- Washburn Tech
- East Mississippi Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Canyons Technical Education Center
- Mountain Land Technical College
- Davis Technical College
- Snow College
- Euphoria Institute
- Luna Community College
- Clovis Community College
- Xenon Academy
- Mesa Barber School
- Avalon Institute
- American Leadership Academy
- Erie County Technical School
- Northwest Technical College
- Meridian College
- University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts
- Capital Area Career Center
- South Louisiana Community College
- Moore Career College
- Compass Career College
- Baton Rouge Community College
- Lewiston Regional Technical Center
- Champlain Valley BOCES
- Northwest Technical Center
- Center for Technology Essex
- Central Vermont Career Center
- Stafford Technical Center
- Lake Area Technical College
- Red River Technology Center
- Gaston College
- Millennium Trade Academy
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
- Central Oklahoma College
- Mid-Del Technology Center
- Clary Sage College
- Metro Tech
- San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology
- Professional Cosmetology Education Center
- University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
- Aveda Institutes
- Manatee Technical College
- Elevate Salon Institute
- Florida Academy
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Porter County Career Center
- Carver Career Center
- United Technical Center
- Careerline Technical Center
- Chicago Vocational Career Academy
- City College of Chicago
- San Jose City College
- The School for Cooperative Technical Education
- West Kentucky College
- College for Technical Education
- Kentucky Community & Technical College System
- Iowa Culinary Institute
- Center of Applied Technology
- IBS School of Cosmetology
- Honolulu Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- West Sound Tech
- Eastern Wyoming College
- Madison Area Technical College
- Gateway Technical College
- Wisconsin Tech
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology
- Pickens Technical College
- IBMC College
- Technical College of the Rockies
- Southeastern Technical Institute
- Emily Griffith Technical College
- Pulaski Tech
- Central Wyoming College
- Bryant Career Technical Center
- Bishop State Community College
- East Valley Institute of Technology
- Eastern Arizona College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
- Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy
- Lawson State Community College
- Berks Career & Technology Center
- Laurel Technical Institute
- Genesis Career College
- Augusta Tech
- Isothermal Community College
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- North Central Texas College
- Lone Star College
- Fort Myers Tech
- Lake Technical College
- Chattanooga College
- Northwest Educational Center
- Pinellas Technical College
- Paul Mitchell Schools
- Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology
- Moler Barber College
- Milan Institute
- Lawrence & Company, College of Cosmetology
- Dawn Career Institute
- California Hair Design Academy
- Houston Community College
- Wharton County Junior College
- Cortiva Institute
- Delta Technical College
- Dorsey College
- Empire Beauty Schools
- Florida Career College
- Miller-Motte College
- Southern Careers Institute
- Porter and Chester Institute
- Institute of Technology
- IntelliTec College
- Lincoln Tech
- Midwest Technical Institute
- Remington College
- Vista College