Arkansas is home to roughly sixty excellent beauty schools endorsed by the Department of Health. Attendance at these local beauty schools continues to help beauty professionals across the state to gain licensure in their respective specializations and likewise prepare them for unparalleled opportunities.
Beauticians and other cosmetology-related occupations frequently work in salons. These professionals are often subject to unconventional employment and compensation practices. For instance, instead of simply hiring employees on a part-time or full-time basis, many salon mangers will rent out salon space or pay based on commission.
In terms of wage and salary considerations, many beauty professionals set daily rates or event rates for special occasions. In addition, cosmetology clientele are often inclined to leave 10% to 25% gratuity to show appreciation for outstanding customer service. As result, beauty workers often earn much higher pay than wage statistics imply.
Cosmetologist Salaries in Arkansas
Many cosmetologists enroll in beautician school programs in order to complete the 1,500 training hours needed to become eligible for a cosmetology license in Arkansas. Cosmetologists should make sure their selected beauty school has been pre-approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
More experienced cosmetologists can earn substantially more than their novice colleagues. According to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, approximately 2,456 cosmetologists, hairdressers, and hairstylists were employed statewide in 2013. In that year, these beauty professionals earned the following salary averages:
- Entry-Level: $16,790/yr.
- Mid-Career: $25,050/yr.
- Experienced: $29,180/yr.
In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor reported the following wage and salary averages for cosmetologists working in metropolitan areas of Arkansas:
- Memphis: $28,490/yr. or $13.70/hr.
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway: $28,230/yr. or $13.57/hr.
- Texarkana-Texarkana: $25,600/yr. or $12.31/hr.
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers: $24,560/yr. or $11.81/hr.
- Hot Springs: $23,550/yr. or $11.32/hr.
- Fort Smith: $21,290/yr. or $10.24/hr.
Esthetician Salaries in Arkansas
Graduating from an Arkansas beauty school promoted by the Department of Health is an ideal way for estheticians to complete the 600 hours of training required to become qualified to take the licensure examination provided by the state.
Like cosmetologists, estheticians can increase their salary earning potential through experience. The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services found roughly 165 skincare specialists, including estheticians, employed in state. At that time, these licensed beauty professionals were earning the following salary averages.
- Entry-Level: $26,150/yr.
- Mid-Career: $39,250/yr.
- Experienced: $45,800/yr.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics posted the following salary and wage averages for skincare specialists working in urban regions of Arkansas in 2013:
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway: $53,960/yr. or $25.94/hr.
- Memphis: $43,810/yr. or $21.06/hr.
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers: $32,760/yr. or $15.75/hr.
Nail Technician Salaries in Arkansas
Successful nail technicians typically attend beauty school courses to satisfy the 600 training hour eligibility requirement needed to obtain a manicurist license in Arkansas. Right now, the Department of Health Cosmetology Section only recognizes training hours provided by a state-approved beauty school.
Nail technicians, like most beauty professionals, are usually compensated with higher pay averages as they gain more experience in the field. In 2013, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services determined manicurists earned the following salary averages:
- Entry-Level: $16,830/yr.
- Mid-Career: $20,030/yr.
- Experienced: $21,630/yr.
Nail technicians commonly earn wage difference between geographic locations in Arkansas. For instance, according to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, here were the salary and wage averages for manicurists employed in the Memphis and Fort Smith metropolitan areas in 2013:
- Memphis: $29,310/yr.
- Fort Smith: $17,300/yr.
Makeup Artist Salaries in Arkansas
Currently, the Arkansas state government does not regulate makeup artist professionals working in the state. However, they often complete beauty school courses specific to cosmetics to gain the formal training and education needed to build a strong career foundation.
In 2013, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services found that personal care and service workers, like makeup artists, could increase their pay by accumulating more career experience. For instance, in 2013, these beauty professionals earned the following salary averages:
- Entry-Level: $16,760/yr.
- Mid-Career: $19,070/yr.
- Experienced: $20,220/yr.
The wage averages in that same year were as follows:
- Entry-Level: $8.06/hr.
- Mid-Career: $9.17/hr.
- Experienced: $9.72/hr.
Barber Salaries in Arkansas
All barbers in Arkansas must obtain barber technician certification from the State Board of Barber Examiners prior to hire. To qualify for certification, barber candidates must complete at least twenty days of full-time work at a board-approved barbering school or complete a sixty-day board-approved barbering apprenticeship program.
To illustrate how experience influences barber salaries, here are the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services salary average findings for barbers in 2013:
- Entry-Level: $19,830/yr.
- Mid-Career: $24,960/yr.
- Experienced: $27,520/yr.