Salaries for Beauticians

Beauticians earn a living working with customers on their personal appearances.

Beauticians are personal appearance specialists that provide beauty services for customers including hair care, manicures, pedicures and skin care. They also advise customers on caring for these matters at home. Beautician salaries depend on their expertise, the industry they work in and their location.

Hairstylists and Cosmetologists

Hairstylists and cosmetologists working with customers on hair care, including cutting, styling and coloring, may also work with applying makeup and wigs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for these workers is $27,070 as of May 2009. Most work in the industry of personal care services for an average salary of $27,240, while department stores pay an average of $22,430, and health and personal care stores pay an average of $27,270.

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Manicurists and pedicurists work with fingernails and toenails, cutting, cleaning, polishing and decorating. These workers earn an average salary of $22,150 in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most are in the industry of personal care services at an average annual salary of $21,990. While those in amusement and recreation industries and traveler accommodation earn over $27,000 a year on average, department stores and health and personal care stores offer less at over $20,000 annually.

Skin Care Specialists

Skin care specialists provide treatments such as massages and facials for beauty-enhancing purposes. This type of beautician earns an average annual salary of $31,990 as of May 2009, according to the bureau. The personal care services industry pays these specialists an average salary of $30,920, while they can earn higher wages in offices of physicians at $38,020 a year on average. Skin care specialists working in health and personal care stores earn an average salary of $29,590 a year.

Location

Location and cost of living both affect the salaries of beauticians. The bureau states that hairstylists and cosmetologists earn the highest wages in Washington, D.C., at an average salary of $43,330, followed by Hawaii at $39,390 annually. Manicurists and pedicurists earn the highest wages in Vermont and Oregon, which offer salary averages of $33,680 and $32,090 respectively. For skin care specialists, the highest salary is in Washington at an average of $38,650 annually, closely followed by Colorado at $38,340.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers, 2010-11
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Hairstylists and Cosmetologists Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Manicurists and Pedicurists Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Skin Care Specialists Wages, May 2009