The Georgia Board of Cosmetology and the Georgia State Board of Barbers requires all cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians, and barbers to be state licensed, which is why beauty schools are so important to these occupations. In Georgia, licensed beauty professionals can obtain licensure through reciprocity or examination.
Individuals that intend to acquire an occupational license through examination must either graduate from a beauty school or complete an apprenticeship program. In either case, applicants must confirm that their chosen school or program has been approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology.
As of January 22, 2015, the Georgia’s Board of Cosmetology and Board of Barbers has granted the following number of cosmetology-related licenses:
- Master Cosmetologists: 45,381
- Estheticians: 3,809
- Nail Technicians: 8,815
- Master Barbers: 5,998
Not all beauty professionals are hired for part-time or full-time jobs. Instead, salons in particular may only allow beauty professionals to rent chairs or rent booths at their establishment. In these cases, salon owners typically charge a flat rate for use of their facility, allowing renters to keep the difference of any additional earnings.
Also, beauty professionals may receive tips or commission payments in addition to their salaries and wages. However, government published wage figures do include these extraneous income amounts. Therefore, these government wage reports should be viewed a base pay rate averages instead of actual total earnings.
Cosmetologist Salaries in Georgia
In 2012, the Georgia Department of Labor estimates there were 13,606 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employed in the state. By 2022 this number is expected to steadily climb to 15,143. This employment projection indicates these occupations will experience an average annual growth rate of 1.1% through 2022.
In 2010, the areas of Georgia that employed the highest number of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists included:
- Atlanta Region: 2,761
- City of Atlanta: 2,122
- Fulton County: 2,122
- Cobb County: 1,469
- Coastal Georgia: 957
In 2012, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists working in Georgia earned the following salary and wage averages:
- Entry-Level: $17,636/yr. or $8.48/hr.
- Mid-Career: $23,912/yr. or $11.50/hr.
- Experienced: $26,719/yr. or $12.84/hr.
In that same year, these counties offered the highest average salaries for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Georgia:
- Bulloch County: $33,720/yr.
- Evans County: $30,499/yr.
- Spalding County: $29,931/yr.
- Oglethorpe County: $28,151/yr.
- Oconee County: $27,916/yr.
Esthetician Salaries in Georgia
In 2012, the Georgia Department of Labor estimates there were 918 skincare specialists, such as estheticians, employed in the state. By 2022, this number is anticipated to rise to 1,269. This employment projection signifies an impressive average annual growth rate of 3.3% for estheticians through 2022.
In 2010, the areas of Georgia that held the greatest number of estheticians included:
- City of Atlanta: 382
- Fulton County: 382
- Atlanta Region: 275
- Cobb County: 194
- Coastal Georgia: 178
In 2012, estheticians working in Georgia received the following salary and wage averages:
- Entry-Level: $17,188/yr. or $8.26/hr.
- Mid-Career: $22,648/yr. or $10.89/hr.
- Experienced: $26,031/yr. or $12.52/hr.
In that same year, estheticians earned the highest average salaries in these counties:
- Oconee County: $35,767/yr.
- Whitfield County: $34,068/yr.
- Murray County: $32,660/yr.
- Clarke County: $32,264/yr.
- Hart County: $32,262/yr.
Nail Technician Salaries in Georgia
In 2012, the Georgia Department of Labor estimates there were 435 nail technicians employed in the state. By 2022, this number is predicted to increase to 491. This change equates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2% for nail technicians through 2022.
In 2010, the areas of Georgia that employed the most nail technicians in the state included:
- City of Atlanta: 99
- Fulton County: 99
- Georgia Mountains: 90
- Macon-Bibb: 58
- West Central Georgia: 57
In 2012, nail technicians working in Georgia earned the following salary and wage averages:
- Entry-Level: $19,541/yr. or $9.39/hr.
- Mid-Career: $23,964/yr. or $11.52/hr.
- Experienced: $27,891/yr. or $13.41/hr.
In that same year, these were the top-paying counties for nail technicians in Georgia:
- DeKalb County: $25,164/yr.
- Clayton County: $24,580/yr.
- Barrow County: $23,606/yr.
- Jackson County: $23,606/yr.
- Grady County: $23,211/yr.
Makeup Artist Salaries in Georgia
In 2012, the Georgia Department of Labor estimates there were 21 theatrical and performance makeup artists employed in the state. By 2022, this number is anticipated to expand just slightly to 25. This marginal employment difference shows an average annual growth rate of 1.8% for these cosmetic professionals through 2022.
In 2010, the areas of Georgia that hired the largest number of theatrical and performance makeup artists included:
- City of Atlanta: 38
- Fulton County: 38
- Cobb County: 32
- DeKalb County: 32
- Atlanta Region: 31
In 2012, theatrical and performance makeup artists received the following salary and wage averages:
- Entry-Level: $62,379/yr. or $29.99/hr.
- Mid-Career: $67,921/yr. or $32.65/hr.
- Experienced: $79,200/yr. or $38.07/hr.
Barber Salaries in Georgia
In 2012, the Georgia Department of Labor estimates there were 1,144 barbers employed in the state. By 2022, the state government expects this number to swell to 1,282. This occupation forecast points to an average annual growth rate of 1.1% for barbers through 2022.
In 2010, the areas of Georgia with the highest levels of employed barbers included:
- South Georgia: 252
- Coastal Georgia: 151
- Northwest Georgia: 108
- Southwest Georgia: 82
- Lower Chattahoochee: 76
In 2012, barbers earned the following salary and wage averages:
- Entry-Level: $19,994/yr. or $9.61/hr.
- Mid-Career: $30,288/yr. or $14.56/hr.
- Experienced: $40,878/yr. or $19.65/hr.