Interesting Facts
Job Demand in the Cosmetology Industry

Cosmetology is a creative, challenging and growing profession offering excellent employment opportunities. Employment of cosmetologists has been ranked six out of ten for occupational growth through 2012. Money Magazine ranks Hairstyling & Cosmetology as one of America's "50 Hottest Jobs."

In January 2003, there were 1,604,502 professionals employed in the nations 312,959 beauty salons, barber shops, skin care salons, and nail salons.

There has been notable growth in the industry since 1999:

• Total number of salon professionals is up to 24%
• The total number of salons is up by 5.6%
• The number of new hires is up 37% since 1999

The salon industry is a job-seekers market. Some 56% of salon owners reported that they had job openings. More than 572,000 open positions were filled in 2002 with both experienced salon professions changing positions (73% of new hires) and with inexperienced professionals with less than one year's experience (27% of new hires). The supply does not appear to be keeping up with demand. Approximately 3 out of 4 salon owners who looked for new employees in 2002 reported difficulty in finding qualified personnel.

Other key findings:

• 59% of salon owners classified their salon as full-service salon, 18% as a haircutting salon, 4% as a nail salon and 5% as a barber shop
• In 1990, the average salary for full-time cosmetologists was $25,931 and $4,546 in tips. Today the "average" salon professional takes home anywhere from $30,00-$50,000
• 20% of our industry earns 80% of the money that is generated
• The top 20% of stylists earn an average income of $80,000-100,000 a year