If you’re searching for a “beauty academy near me,” then your head is in the right place.
Beauticians (also called cosmetologists) help people feel better in a wide variety of ways. They beautify the nails, skin, hair, and they also professionally apply makeup.
If you become a beautician, then you can specialize in all of these areas. Or, you can hone in on a specific one. For example, cosmetologists study it all: hair, skin, and nails. On the other hand, estheticians are beauty specialists who focus solely on skin care. There are a lot of different specialties, so we’ll cover them in detail in “The Different Types of Beauty Licenses” section.
In this post, we’ll go over the different types of beauty schools. We’ll also help you find the best beauty academy near you.
Table of Contents
- How to Find the Best Beauty Academy Near Me
- Cosmetologist Requirements by State
- The Different Types of Beauty Schools
- Beauty Specialist Employment Outlook
- How to Choose the Right Specialty for You
How to Find the Best Beauty Academy Near Me
Say goodbye to doing a “best beauty academy near me” search and slogging through pages of Google results. Instead, take advantage of Campus Explorer. In order to get a personalized list of the best beauty schools near you, simply enter your information into the toolbar below. As a result, you’ll receive free notifications about beauty academies near you right in your inbox!
The best part is that it’s an offer with no strings attached. In other words, you can always hit “unsubscribe” if you decide you’re no longer interested.
Cosmetologist Requirements by State
Every state has a Cosmetology State Board. Each board is a little different in how many hours of schooling they require, and also the different types of cosmetology licenses. Some states require an apprenticeship, while others allow you to substitute an apprenticeship for schooling.
Some states require apprenticeships, so we’ll give you a quick definition. An apprenticeship involves working at a licensed salon, and also learning the trade under a licensed cosmetologist.
Another difference between states is the type of licensure you need to practice certain specialties. For example, most states have a specific “Esthetician License.” However, this sometimes falls under a broader “Cosmetology License” umbrella, and so there is no specific Esthetician License.
Confused? Don’t worry, because we’ll get into the specifics later in this post. That is, we’ll break down the different types of cosmetology licenses and what they mean.
Looking at your home state’s requirements is a great place to start when searching for beauty academies. Because of this, the next section includes a comprehensive list of beauty license requirements by state.
Beauty School Requirements by State
for Cosmetologists, Barbers, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Instructors, & More!
In almost all states, beauty specialists need a high school diploma or GED. They also need between about 250 and 2,000 hours at an accredited beauty school (with certain specialties requiring significantly less). They also must pass the cosmetology state board exam.
The state board exam typically has two parts: first a theory section, and also a practical (“hands-on”) section.
Also, the beauty academy you attend will need to be an accredited institution, and so you don’t have to worry about your exam! This is because beauty school classes will prepare you to pass the cosmetologist state board exam.
We also recommend taking advantage of the Milady Standard books, which will definitely help you study for your state board exams.
The following is a list of individual states, their types of cosmetology licenses, and the requirements for each. Credit goes to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools by BeautySchools.org, because it’s the source of this valuable information.
Alabama Cosmetology State Requirements
Barber: 1000 hours for Class II
Cosmetologist: 1500 hours or 3000 apprenticeship hours
Esthetician: 1500 hours or 3000 apprenticeship hours
Nail Technician: 750 hours or 1200 apprenticeship hours
Instructor: If you already have a manager’s license, then the requirement is an additional 650 hours. Otherwise, you need 1500 hours in order to become a licensed cosmetology instructor.
Alaska Cosmetology State Requirements
Barber: Either 1650 hours or 2000 apprenticeship hours
Esthetician: 350 training hours
Hairdresser: Either 1650 hours or 2000 apprenticeship hours
Instructor: If you want to become an instructor and you’ve been working as a licensed cosmetologist for at least three years, then you don’t need additional hours. If you’ve been licensed between one and three years, then you need 600 hours in order to become a licensed cosmetology instructor.
Manicurist: In order to become a manicurist, you need 262 hours total. This includes 250 manicure-centered hours and 12 more hours of beauty school instruction.
Arizona Cosmetology State Requirements
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Cosmetologist: 1,600 hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 400 hours
Cosmetologist Instructor: 650 hours
Aesthetic Instructor: 500 hours
Nail Technician Instructor: 350 hours
Arkansas Cosmetology State Requirements
Barber: 1500 training hours
Cosmetologist: 1500 training hours
Electrologist: Either 600 hours or 350 hours plus 1500 cosmetologist hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 600 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician instructor, you’re required to have your current license for your respective specialty. Then, you need to earn 600 additional training hours.
California Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,600 training hours or 3,200 hours as an apprentice (with at least 220 hours of supplemental training)
Barber: 1,500 hours
Electrologist: Either 600 training hours or two years as an apprentice
Esthetician: 600 hours
Manicurist: 400 hours
Colorado State Cosmetology Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,800 training hours
Hairstylist: 1,200 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Nail Technology: 600 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Connecticut Cosmetology License Requirements
Cosmetician/Hairdresser: Either 1500 hours or 3000 apprenticeship hours
Barber: 1000 hours
Electrologist: 600 hours
Delaware Cosmetology State Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1500 training hours
Barber: 1500 hours (In order to become a Master Barbers, you need 600 more hours plus an apprenticeship.)
Electrologist: 300 hours or 600 apprenticeship hours
Esthetician: 600 hours
Nail Technology: 300 hours
Instructor: If you have at least two years of experience working with a license, then you need an additional 250 hours. If you have less than two years of experience, then 500 hours with less than two years
District of Columbia Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1500 training hours
Nail Technician: 350 training hours
Skin Care: 125 training hours
Florida Cosmetology Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1200 training hours
Barber: 1200 training hours
Electrologist: 320 training hours
Nails: 240 training hours
Skin: 260 training hours
Full Specialist: 500 training hours
Hair Braider: 16 training hours (Which you’ll complete in a certified two-day course)
Hair Wrapper: 6 training hours (Which you’ll complete in a one-day training program)
Georgia Cosmetology State Requirements
Cosmetology: Either 1500 training hours or 3000 apprenticeship hours
Barber: While a Master Barber license requires 1500 hours, a Barber II license requires 1,140 hours.
Esthetician: 1,000 training hours
Nail Technician: 525 training hours
Hair Design: 1,000 training hours
Teacher: In order to become a teacher, you must have 750 training hours, and also a year of experience at the master level.
Cosmetology Clinic Teacher: In order to become a cosmetology clinic teacher, you must complete 500 hours of teacher training and have two years of experience. Alternatively, you can become a cosmetology clinic teacher through 1000 hours of teacher training.
Hawaii Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetology: Either 1800 training hours or 3600 apprenticeship hours
Esthetician: Either 550 hours or 1100 apprenticeship hours
Nail Technician: 350 training hours
Barber: 1500 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor, you need 600 hours plus a year of active licensed experience.
Idaho Cosmetology Requirements
Cosmetology: Either 2000 training hours or 4000 hours as an apprentice
Electrologist: In order to become an electrologist, you must complete 500 training hours. Additionally, you’ll need either 300 skin care training hours or 1600 hours as an apprentice.
Esthetician: Either 600 hours or 1200 apprenticeship hours
Barber: In order to become a Barber-stylist, you need 1,800 training hours. If you want a simple Barber’s license, you only need 900 training hours. (A Barber license means you can perform haircuts but not work with chemicals.
Nail Technology: Either 400 training hours or 800 apprenticeship hours
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor in Idaho, the amount of training you must take depends on your level of experience. It’s important to note that you must have at least two years of experience.
- If you have at least five years of licensed work experience right before you’re applying for your license, then you don’t need to take additional training.
- If you have at least two years of licensed work experience, then you must complete a three-month teacher’s course.
Illinois Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,500 hours (You can use a total of 150 internship hours to satisfy this requirement.)
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Instructor: 1,000 training hours or 500 hours, if you already have at least two years of licensed experience in your specialty.
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetics: 750 training hours
Massage Therapist: 500 training hours
Nail Technician: 350 training hours
Hair Braider: 300 training hours
Indiana Cosmetology State Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Instructor: 1,000 training hours
Electrologist: In order to become an electrologist in Indiana, you need 300 hours of training in electrology. Additionally, you must do either 1,500 hours of “Beauty Culture” courses or 700 hours of Esthetician classes.
Esthetics: 700 hours
Manicurist/Nail Technologist: 450 hours
Professional Shampooer: 300 hours
Iowa Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 2,100 training hours
Barber: 2,100 training hours
Electrologist: 450 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Nail Technologist: 325 training hours
Cosmetology Arts & Science Instructor: 1,000 training hours
Kansas Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetics: 1,000 training hours
Nail Technician: 350 training hours
Electrologist: 500 training hours
Instructor: Either 450 training hours or 300 hours, if you already have one year of licensed experience.
Kentucky Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1, 800 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Nail Technician: 600 training hours
Esthetics: 1,000 training hours
Instructor: 1,000 training hours
Louisiana Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetician: 750 training hours
Nail Technology: 500 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a cosmetology instructor in Louisiana, you need 500 training hours plus at least a year of working with your license.
Maine Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1500 hours or 2500 apprenticeship hours
Barber: 1500 hours
Esthetician: 600 hours or 1250 apprenticeship hours
Electrologist: 600 hours
Manicurist: 200 hours or 400 apprenticeship hours
Instructor: 1000 hours, 1500 hours as a licensed professional, and 12 credits from a post-secondary school
Maryland Cosmetology Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 2 years working as an apprentice
Barber: 1,200 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Nail Technician: 250 training hours
Senior Cosmetologist: In order to become a licensed Senior Cosmetology, you need a minimum of two years of work experience as a licensed cosmetologist. Additionally, you must pass the Senior Cosmetologist Exam and the Cosmetologist Exam.
Massachusetts Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist/Hairdresser: 1,000 training hours
Barber: 1,000 training hours
Aesthetician: 300 training hours
Electrologist: 1,100 training hours, as well as bi-yearly exams
Manicurist: 100 training hours
Michigan Beauty Academy Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1500 hours or 2 years of an apprenticeship
Barber: 1800 hours
Electrologist: 400 hours or six-month apprenticeship
Esthetician: 400 hours
Manicurist: 400 hours
Natural Hair Culturist: 400 hours
Cosmetology Instructor: 500 hours
Instructor (all others): 300 hours
Minnesota Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,550 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 350 training hours
Instructor: 2,700 hours work experience as a licensed practitioner
Mississippi Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetics: 600 training hours
Manicuring: 350 training hours
Wigology: 300 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor, you need 2,000 training hours. Alternatively, you can complete 750 training hours plus 12 semester hours in college courses.
Missouri Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 3,000 hours working as an apprentice.
Barber: 1,000 training hours
Esthetician: Either 750 training hours or 1,500 hours as an apprentice
Manicurist: Either 400 hours or 800 hours as an apprentice
Instructor Training: Depending on your experience, you’ll need between 300 to 600 training hours.
Montana Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 2000 hours
Barber: 1500 hours with chemicals; 1000 without chemicals
Barber Supplemental: 150 hours
Electrologist: 600 hours
Esthetician: 650 hours
Manicurist: 400 hours (as of Oct. 2014)
Microdermabrasion: 50 hours (must have a cosmetologist or esthetician license)
Instructor: 650 hours with 1 year of licensed practice; or 3 years of licensed practice
Nebraska Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 2100 hours
Barber: 2100 hours
Esthetician: 600 hours
Electrologist: 600 hours
Nail Technician: 300 hours
Instructor: 925 hours
Nevada Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,600 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetics: 600 training hours
Electrologist: Either 500 hours or 1,000 hours experience as an apprentice
Hair Designer: 1,200 training hours
Manicurist: 500 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor, you need at least one year of experience working with a license in your specialty. Then, depending on your specialty, you must complete 500 to 1,000 additional training hours.
New Hampshire Beauty School Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 3,000 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Barber: Either 1,500 training hours or 3000 apprenticeship hours. In order to become a non-chemical barber, you’re only required to complete 800 hours at an accredited barber school.
Electrologist: 1,100 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 300 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor, the requirements depend on your experience level.
- If you have at least eight years of licensed practice, then you don’t need to complete any additional training hours.
- If you have a minimum of a year of licensed experience, then you only need 500 additional training hours.
- However, if you have less than a year of licensed practice, then you’ll need to complete 800 additional hours.
New Jersey Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,200 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 300 training hours
Skin Care Specialist: 600 training hours
Instructor: 500 training hours
New Mexico Beauty Specialist Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,600 training hours
Barber: 1,200 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Manicurist/Pedicurist: 350 training hours
Manicurist/Esthetician: 600 training hours
Instructor: 1,000 training hours
New York Beauty Specialist Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1000 hours
Barber: each school determines the length of study
Esthetician: 600 hours
Nail Specialty: 250 hours
Natural Hair Styling: 300 hours
Waxing: 75 hours
Instructor: At least two years of work experience as a licensed practitioner
North Carolina Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 hours or 1,200 hours combined with a six-month program as an apprentice
Barber: 1,528 hours at an accredited barber school
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Electrologist: 600 hours
Manicurist: 300 hours
Cosmetologist Instructor: At least five years of licensed work experience, plus 800 hours
Esthetician Instructor: At least three years of licensed work experience combined with 650 hours
Manicurist Instructor: At least two years of licensed work experience, plus 320 hours
North Dakota Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,800 training hours
Barber: 1,550 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 350 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor, you need between 160 and 960 hours, depending on your work experience.
Ohio Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,500 training hours (Out of this total, 150 may be internship hours.)
Managing Cosmetologist: 1,800 training hours
Barber: 1,800 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetics: 600 hours at an accredited esthetician school
Hair Designer: 1,200 training hours
Manicurist: 200 training hours
Natural Hair Stylist: 450 training hours
Instructor: Either 1,000 training hours or 1,800 hours of licensed work experience
Oklahoma Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 3,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Cosmetician: 600 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetician/Facialist: 600 training hours
Hair braiding Technician: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 600 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor of some sort of cosmetology, you can take two routes.
- If you have at least two years of licensed work experience, then you only need 300 additional training hours.
- Or, you can become an instructor before two years by satisfying a 1,000 training hours requirement.
Oregon Beauty Training Requirements
Hair Design, Esthetics and Nail Technology: 2,300 hours
Hair Design and Esthetics: 1,950 hours
Nail Technology and Esthetics: 850 hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor in Oregon, you must complete two years of instructor training or have two years of licensed work experience.
Pennsylvania Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,250 training hours or 2,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: Either 1,250 hours or 2,000 hours as an apprentice
Esthetician: 300 training hours
Nail Technician: 200 training hours
Massage Therapy: 600 training hours
Educators: 500 training hours
Rhode Island Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist/Hair Stylist: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Electrologist: 650 training hours
Esthetician: 600 hours
Manicurist: 300 hours
Instructor: 300 hours
South Carolina Beauty Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,500 training hours
Nail Technology: 300 training hours
Esthetician: 450 training hours
Hair Braiding: In order to get your Hair Braiding License, you’ll need six training hours, which you’ll complete in a one-day course.
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor, you must complete a certain amount of training depending on your work experience.
- If you have over two years of licensed work experience, then you need to take 45 hours of a Methods of Teaching course.
- If you have been practicing for less than two years, then you’ll need to take the 45-hour long Methods of Teaching course plus a 750-hour instructor training program.
South Dakota Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetology: Either 2,100 hours or 3,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Nail Technician: 400 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor, you must complete 1,012 hours. You also must have 1,000 hours of licensed work experience under your belt.
Tennessee Beauty Specialist Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Esthetician: 750 training hours
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 600 training hours
Natural Hair Stylist: 300 training hours
Shampoo Technician: 300 training hours
Instructor: 300 training hours
Texas Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1,500 training hours
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Barber Technician: 300 training hours
Manicurist: 600 training hours
Esthetician/Facial Specialist: 750 training hours
Instructor: In order to become a licensed instructor in Texas, you must complete between 500 and 750 training hours, depending on your work experience.
Utah Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,600 training hours or 2,500 hours as an apprentice
Barber: Either 1,000 training hours or 1,500 hours as an apprentice
Electrologist: 600 training hours
Esthetician: 600 training hours
Master Esthetician: 1,200 training hours
Nail Technologist: 300 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor, you must complete 400 training hours or have 3,00 hours of licensed work experience.
Vermont Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 2,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: Either 1,000 training hours or 2,000 hours as an apprentice
Esthetician: 300 training hours
Manicurist: 150 training hours
Instructor: In order to become an instructor in Vermont, you must have at least three full years of licensed work experience.
Virginia Beauty Academy Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,500 training hours or 3,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: 1,500 training hours
Hair Braider: 170 training hours
Nail Technician: 150 hours
Wax Technician: 150 hours
Esthetician: 600 hours
Master Esthetician: 600 hours
Washington Beauty Specialist Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,600 training hours or 2,000 hours as an apprentice
Barber: 1000 training hours
Esthetics: 600 training hours
Manicurist: 600 training hours
Instructor: 500 training hours
West Virginia Beauty School Near Me Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: 1800 hours
Barber: 1500 hours with chemical services, 1200 hours without chemical services
Master Esthetics: 1200 hours
Esthetician: 750 hours
Manicurist: 400 hours
Instructor: 5 years of licensed practice
Wisconsin Beauty License Training Requirements
Cosmetologist: Either 1,550 training hours or 4,000 hours as an apprentice
Barbering: 1,000 hours
Manicurist: 300 hours
Esthetician: 450 hours
Electrologist: 450 hours
Instructor Trainer: 150 hours and 2000 hours of licensed practice
Wyoming Beauty Academy Near Me – License Training Requirements
Cosmetology: 1,600 hours
Barber: If you want to be a licensed barber who offers chemical services, then you need 1,250 hours. In order to become a licensed barber without chemical services, you only need 1,000 hours.
Nail Technology: 400 hours
Esthetics: 600 hours
Instructor: 500 hours
Types of Beauty Schools & Licenses
Since there are several different specialties, there are numerous types of beauty schools and licenses. Since there are so many, this section delves into the meaning of each license.
Barber License
A barber is a licensed hair specialist who focuses on styling boys’ and men’s hair.
Licensed barbers are responsible for cutting, styling, coloring, highlighting, shampooing, and also conditioning hair.
Due to the nature of their job, barbers learn about safety and sanitation practices. In order to learn more, check out “What are the job requirements of a licensed barber?”
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly pay for barbers in the United States was $18.12 in May of 2017. So it’s definitely a job that pays!
Cosmetologist License
According to CosmetologyLicense.com, cosmetologists work mostly as hairstylists and hairdressers. However, their training covers all things beauty.
In fact, this is the “broadest and most all-encompassing profession in the salon industry.” Cosmetologists also learn about nail and skin care. This includes massage techniques, safe sanitation practices, and also business skills.
Additionally, cosmetologists must be experts at the products they use. A big part of their job is making extra sales by educating their clients, and also recommending products to buy.
Cosmetology covers the biggest range of beauty services, so the number of training hours are highest for this profession.
Electrologist License
A licensed electrologist uses electricity to remove unwanted hair. In addition to hair, electrologists also remove moles, warts, and other blemishes. The use of electricity is part of a process called electrolysis, which destroys the skin tissue at the root of the unwanted skin imperfection or hair.
Electrology is complex, so watch the video below for more info.
Video: What is Electrology? What does Electrology Mean?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsscB9kS9Wc
Esthetician License
Skin care specialists with an esthetician license are educated in a vast array of skincare beautification services. These include hair removal, microdermabrasion, makeup application, body peels/wraps, and also facials.
In order to become an esthetician, you must first attend an accredited esthetician school. After that, you’ll need to pass your state’s esthetician exam.
Some of the most popular industries for estheticians are:
- Personal Care Services
- Medical Offices
- Skin Care Product & Health Stores
- Hotels & Resorts
In order to learn more about becoming an esthetician, check out:
- Help Finding a Medical Esthetician School Near Me
- How to Find the Best Esthetician School Near Me
- Can You Really Go to Esthetician School Online? (State by State Requirements)
- How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist
Nail Technology/Manicurist License
A manicurist, or nail technician, is a licensed beauty professional who specializes in manicures and pedicures.
They clean and give shape to nails, and they may also apply nail polish or other forms of decoration to the nails.
Nail technicians also perform hand and foot massages.
In order to become a licensed nail technician, you’ll need to complete a certain amount of hours at an accredited beauty school.
The number of hours needed depends on your home state, and it varies greatly from state to state.
For example, Virginia only necessitates 150 hours of manicurist training. In contrast, California has a steep requirement of 600 hours.
Beauty Specialist Employment Outlook
Since people always want to feel good about themselves and how they look, becoming a beautician is a smart career move. Furthermore, this need to look and feel beautiful is growing in our cultural awareness.
Because of this, the job outlook is amazing. In other words, more and more jobs are opening up as the demand for beauty services grows.
Barbers/Hair Stylists/Cosmetologists
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists should grow by 13% between 2016 and 2026. In other words, that’s a projected 87,600 new jobs in just ten years. Comparatively, this is a much faster growth rate than that of other professions.
Estheticians/Skin Care Specialists
Like barbers, hair stylists and cosmetologists, the job outlook for estheticians is also above average. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a job growth rate of 14% between 2016 and 2026. So that’s 8,500 jobs in ten years.
As of May 2017, the median hourly wage for skin care specialists was $18.12. That number will just keep getting higher as demand grows.
In contrast to so many other careers, the esthetician employment outlook is growing rapidly. And it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon.
Video: What are the different jobs I can have as an esthetician?
Manicurists and Pedicurists
In May 2017, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median pay of $11.17 per hour for manicurists and pedicurists. Between 2016 and 2026, there is an expected growth rate of 13%, which means 16,700 new jobs.
Like the previously mentioned specialties, the Nail Technician employment outlook is fantastic.
How to Choose the Best Beauty Academy/Specialty
Since there are so many different beauty specialties, it’s important to give yourself enough time to really look at all of your options.
So make sure to poke around the rest of Trades for Careers, if you’re interested in learning about trades outside of the beauty realm, too.
Here is a list of tips that might help you narrow down your options:
- Since Nail Technology generally requires less training hours than others, this is a great fast track specialty for those wishing to become licensed beauty practitioners as soon as possible.
- If you’re interested in the most multi-faceted license, then a Cosmetology License might be best for you. If you want to do all the things, this is your best bet. You’ve got to be willing to take the most training hours, but the pay off will be worth it. If there’s a part of cosmetology that you’re especially interested in, such as Makeup Artistry, then make sure to take as many classes that focus on this as possible. You can even choose to focus on something as specialized as Special Effects Make-Up.
- If you’re interested in a more focused license with fewer training requirements, then consider becoming an Esthetician or Electrologist.
- Again, make sure to check your state licensing requirements and types of licenses available. For example, Florida offers a Hair Braider License. If something this specialized is available in your state, then take advantage of it!
Finding a Beauty Academy Near Me
Your Next Steps
Since you were asking for “the best beauty academy near me,” we designed this post to help you find the best beauty school near you. We also provided answers to FAQs coming from prospective beauty specialists who are trying to decide on a career, in hopes that this will help you in your quest.
So, your next step is two-fold. First, research beauty specialties, and then apply to beauty schools near you. You can learn more about being a beautician by reading the articles listed below, and you can also start applying to beauty academies near you by signing up for Campus Explorer. (This is a free, no-strings-attached service and you can easily unsubscribe anytime.) Simply enter your info into the safe search bar below, and you’ll soon receive a personalized list of the best beauty colleges near you directly in your inbox!
So get ready to take that next step. We believe in you! Have any questions or comments? Please let us know in the comments section below.
Cheers!
-TFC
Go Back to Table of Contents
Beauty Academy Near Me – Resources:
Electrologist Job Description
Cosmetology Programs by State
Cosmetology Licensing Hour Requirements