Graduation from a beauty school is a crucial component to becoming a beauty professional in Florida. The Florida Barber’s Board and Board of Cosmetology regulate all cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and barbers by ensuring they are properly trained before they begin work in the state.
Right now, all barbers and cosmetologists are required to hold an occupational license to practice, while cosmetology specialists like estheticians and nail technicians must be state registered. In order to qualify for licensure and/or registration in Florida, beauty professionals must complete the following number of educational training hours:
- Cosmetologists: 1,200 hours
- Barbers: 1,200 hours
- Estheticians: 260 hours
- Nail Technicians: 240 hours
Beauty schools provide the perfect opportunity for aspiring beauty professionals to learn the techniques, safe practices, and skill sets to not only become eligible for state licensing and registration examinations, but also prove occupational excellence to future employers and potential clients.
While looking for jobs in Florida, beauty professionals should keep in mind that employers may hire employees to fill part-time or full-time positions but they may also only offer salon space by renting out chairs or booths for a set fee.
Once employed, beauty professionals in Florida get paid several ways. For example, in addition to an hourly or annual wage rate, they often receive customer gratuity or commission percentages. However, government published wage reports do include client tip and commission amounts. As a result, beauty professionals usually earn much higher pay averages than government statistics indicate.
Cosmetologist Salaries in Florida
In 2013, Florida became a popular state to pursue a cosmetology career. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Florida held the fourth highest level of employment for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. In that same year, Palm Coast, Florida held the highest concentration of cosmetology jobs among metropolitan areas in the country.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earned the following salary and wage averages in 2014:
- Entry-Level: $17,650/yr. or $8.49/hr.
- Mid-Career: $26,801/yr. or $12.89/hr.
- Experienced: $31,376/yr. or $15.08/hr.
A cosmetologist’s salary can be greatly influenced by their geographic location of employment. In 2014, the top paying counties for cosmetologists in Florida included:
- Lee County: $32,598/yr.
- Manatee County: $32,199/yr.
- Sarasota County: $32,199/yr.
- Palm Beach County: $31,813/yr.
- Escambia County: $31,624/yr.
Esthetician Salaries in Florida
Voluminous job opportunities for skincare specialists continue to attract jobseeking estheticians to Florida. In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported these state employment highlights:
- Florida held the third highest employment level of estheticians in the country
- West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach held the third highest concentration of esthetician jobs among metropolitan areas in the country
- Sebastian-Vero Beach held the fourth highest concentration of esthetician jobs among metropolitan areas in the country
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, skincare specialists, such as estheticians, earned the following salary and wage averages in 2014:
- Entry-Level: $17,627/yr. or $8.48/hr.
- Mid-Career: $30,970/yr. or $14.89/hr.
- Experienced: $37,641/yr. or $18.10/hr.
Since esthetician salaries often vary across state regions, job candidates with a willingness to relocate for a position may heighten their wage earning potential. In 2014, the top paying counties for estheticians included:
- Orange County: $40,450/yr.
- Seminole County: $40,450/yr.
- Miami-Dade County: $35,688/yr.
- Leon County: $35,511/yr.
- Duval County: $33,105/yr.
Nail Technician Salaries in Florida
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity found an estimated 3,125 nail technicians working throughout the state in 2014. By 2022, this number is projected to reach 3,438. This optimistic employment trend equates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%
In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Naples-Marco Island region was the sixth highest paying metropolitan area for nail technicians in the country.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, nail technicians earned the following salary and wage averages in 2014:
- Entry-Level: $17,443/yr. or $8.38/hr.
- Mid-Career: $24,190/yr. or $11.63/hr.
- Experienced: $27,564/yr. or 13.26/hr.
A major factor affecting a nail technician’s salary is their regional placement of employment. For example, in 2014, nail technicians working in Collier County earned an average annual salary of $34,649, while those working in Palm Beach County earned an average annual salary closer to $26,550.
Makeup Artist Salaries in Florida
In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Florida held the third highest level of employment for theatrical and performance makeup artists. In that same year, Florida also held the fourth highest concentration of theatrical and performance makeup artist jobs in the country.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, theatrical and performance makeup artists earned the following salary and wage averages in 2014:
- Entry-Level: $19,791/yr. or $9.52/hr.
- Mid-Career: $37,873/yr. or $18.21/hr.
- Experienced: $46,914/yr. or $22.56/hr.
Barber Salaries in Florida
Barbers looking for jobs in Florida are encouraged to start searching in major cities like Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa where high populations densities have a greater demand for barber services. Local employers that have recently advertised online job postings for barber positions in Florida include:
- Sportclips Haircuts
- Glitz & Glam Beauty Salon
- Cost Cutters
- SmartStyle
- Marianao Barbershop
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013, barbers in Florida earned an average annual salary of $22,700 and an average hourly wage of $10.91. Additional pay averages include:
- Entry-Level: $17,210/yr. or $8.27/hr.
- Mid-Career: $21,600/yr. or $10.38/hr.
- Experienced: $29,340/yr. or $14.10/hr.