Beauty professionals in Indiana have exciting opportunities to enjoy a unique level of independence, and the financial rewards that come with that. Though they may work as employees on a part-time or full-time basis, they may also rent out salon chairs and booth in an established salon. This kind of arrangement allows them to be their own boss, and keep more of the revenue they generate for the services they provide – not to mention tips.
Salon professionals often benefit from commission on products and services they sell, and can always bank on tips, which add anther 15 – 25% to their standard wage rates.
Since government pay reports do not take tips and commission into account, actual earnings in the salon industry are known to be substantially higher than official statistics indicate.
Cosmetologist Salaries in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, there were approximately 13,396 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employed throughout the state in 2010. By 2020, this number is projected to climb to 15,432.
In 2013, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Indiana earned an average annual salary of $25,320 and average hourly wage of $12.17. In that same year, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found these beauty professionals received high pay rates in the following areas:
- Lafayette: $32,730/yr. or $15.74/hr.
- Muncie: $28,230/yr. or $13.57/hr.
- Louisville-Jefferson County: $27,800/yr. or $13.37/hr.
- Michigan City-La Porte: $27,780/yr. or $13.35/hr.
- Indianapolis-Carmel: $27,420/yr. or $13.18/hr.
Esthetician Salaries in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, there were an estimated 813 skincare specialists, including estheticians, employed across the state in 2010. By 2020, this number is expected to rise to 1,040.
Indiana employers with the most advertised job openings for estheticians as of January 2015 include:
- Massage Envy Franchising
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics, & Fragrance
- 7 Salon and Spa
Current aggregator sites report that estheticians in Indiana are currently earning an average annual salary of $34,000.
In 2013, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development found skincare specialists earned different average salaries according to geographic location of employment:
- Louisville-Jefferson County Metro: $29,110/yr.
- Cincinnati-Middletown Metro: $28,890/yr.
- South Bend-Mishawaka Metro: $17,480/yr.
- Anderson Metro: $17,290/yr.
Nail Technician Salaries in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, there were approximately 574 nail technicians employed throughout the state in 2010. By 2020, this number is predicted to reach 668.
Indiana employers with advertised job openings for manicurists and pedicurists as of January 2015 include:
- Fancy Nails
- Golden Touch Tanning
- Life Time Fitness, Inc.
- 7 Salon and Spa
- SpaPointe
In 2013, nail technicians working in Indiana earned an average annual salary of $20,720 and an average hourly wage of $9.96. To illustrate pay differentiation between locations, here are nail technician salary and wage averages according to major metropolitan areas of Indiana:
- Louisville-Jefferson County: $23,990/yr.
- Cincinnati-Middletown: $23,589/yr.
- Indianapolis-Carmel: $19,740/yr.
- Fort Wayne: $19,640/yr.
Makeup Artist Salaries in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, there are roughly 793 personal care and service workers, including makeup artists, employed across the state.
By 2020, this occupational group will swell to a projected 837 workers. These employers that have recently posted online job advertisements for makeup artists in Indiana:
- Mac Cosmetics
- Eye Do Makeup and Hair
- Olympus Salon
In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that theatrical and performance makeup artists in Indiana earned an average annual salary of $18,070 and an average hourly wage of $8.69. Additional pay averages are as follows:
- Entry-Level: $15,620/yr. or $7.51/hr.
- Mid-Career: $17,430/yr. or $8.38/hr.
- Experienced: $19,260/yr. or $9.26/hr.
Barber Salaries in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, there were an estimated 3,455 barbers employed across the state in 2010. By 2020, this number is anticipated to escalate to 3,670. Examples of local employers advertising for barber positions include:
- SmartStyle
- Supercuts
- Sport Clips
- Regis Salons
In 2013, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development found barbers in the state were earning an average annual salary of $25,300 and an average hourly wage of $12.18.
In 2015, job candidates searching for barber positions in Indiana reportedly preferred to earn within the following salary ranges:
- $20,000-$34,999/yr.: 82%
- $5,000-$19,999/yr.: 65%
- Not Specified: 65%
- $65,000-$79,999/yr.: 88%