Boasting over 200 state-approved beauty schools, California is an epicenter for education and training for cosmetology professionals. These beauty institutes have helped to make California a national leader for employment and high salaries for cosmetologist and related occupations in recent years.
Right now, several beauty professions require state licensure to practice in California. As a result, beauty school attendance has become the most popular way to receive the necessary training hours needed to comply with occupational standards of licensing set forth by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Beauty professions that require state licenses in California include:
- Cosmetologists
- Estheticians
- Manicurists
- Barbers
Before embarking on a beauty-related career in California, aspiring professionals should become familiar with the cosmetology field’s unique employment and pay characteristics.
For instance, instead of simply having part-time or full-time jobs, beauty professionals may work as independent contractors and rent space, chairs or booths from local salons. And instead of merely earning hourly wages or annual salaries, beauty professionals may charge daily rates or flat rates when working special events.
Furthermore, aspiring beauty professionals researching pay statistics in California should remember that government published occupational wage reports do not account for additional income accrued from customer gratuity. Clientele tipping etiquette usually implies between a 10% and 25% bonus per visit. As such, pay statistics within this page should be interpreted as base pay amounts rather than actual occupational income figures, which are probably much higher.
Cosmetologist Salary and Wages in California
Reports by the United States Bureau of Statistics cite several reasons why California is an ideal place to pursue a cosmetology career. For instance, in 2013:
- California held the third highest employment level of cosmetologists in the country
- The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA metropolitan division held the sixth highest employment level of cosmetologists in the country
- The San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA metropolitan division was the highest paying metropolitan area for cosmetologists in the country
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, cosmetologists in California earned an annual salary of $27,590 in 2013.
In 2014, the California Employment Development Department reported the following wage averages for cosmetologists, hairdressers, and hairdressers employed in the state:
- Entry-Level: $9.17/hr.
- Mid-Career: $13.36/hr.
- Experienced: $15.07/hr.
Esthetician Salary and Wages in California
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics report that skincare specialists, such as estheticians, have greater access to job opportunities and high pay averages in California. For instance, in 2013:
- California held the second highest employment level of skincare specialists in the country
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA held the highest concentration of skincare specialist jobs among metropolitan areas in the country
- The San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA metropolitan division was the seventh highest paying metropolitan area for skincare specialists in the country
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, skincare specialists earned an average annual salary of $35,270 in 2013.
In 2014, the California Employment Development Department reported the following wage averages for skincare specialists, including estheticians, employed in the state:
- Entry-Level: $10.68/hr.
- Mid-Career: $17.09/hr.
- Experienced: $20.26/hr.
Nail Technician Salary and Wages in California
Studies conducted by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that nail technicians, otherwise known as manicurists, are experiencing exceptionally employment prospects and high paying jobs in California. For example, in 2013:
- California held the highest employment level of manicurists in the country
- The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan division held the highest employment of manicurists among metropolitan areas in the country
- The Bakersfield-Delano area was the third highest paying metropolitan area for manicurists in the country
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, nail technicians earned an average annual salary of $20,470 in 2013.
In 2014, the California Employment Development Department reported the following wage averages for nail technicians working in the state:
- Entry-Level: $8.70/hr.
- Mid-Career: $9.92/hr.
- Experienced: $10.59/hr.
Makeup Artist Salary and Wages in California
Like most beauty professionals, makeup artists benefit from a large volume of jobs that feature high earnings in California. In fact, data collected by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that in 2013:
- California held the highest employment level of theatrical and performance makeup artists in the country
- California held the highest concentration of theatrical and performance makeup artist jobs in the country
- California was the second highest paying state for theatrical and performance makeup artists in the country
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, theatrical and performance makeup artists earned an average annual salary of $78,250 in 2013.
In 2014, the California Employment Development Department reported the following wage averages for theatrical and performance makeup artists employed in the state:
- Entry-Level: $16.24/hr.
- Mid-Career: $37.91/hr.
- Experienced: $52.22/hr.
Barber Salary and Wages in California
Recently published findings by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics showcase California as a leading producer barber jobs nationwide. Some employment highlights for 2013 include:
- California held the third highest employment level of barbers in the country
- The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan division held the third highest employment level of barbers among metropolitan areas in the country
- The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan division also held the fifth highest concentration of barbers jobs among metropolitan areas in the country
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, barbers earned an average annual salary of $25,210 in 2013.
In 2014, the California Employment Development Department reported the following wage averages for barbers working in the state:
- Entry-Level: $9.28/hr.
- Mid-Career: $12.21/hr.
- Experienced: $13.81/hr.