There is no time like the present to start pursuing an exciting career in Wisconsin’s salon industry. Encompassing skills that range from hair styling to movie makeup, you’ll have no problem finding your niche in Wisconsin.
According to Wisconsin’s official statewide employment projections, between 2012 and 2022 you can expect a positive growth rate in the number of salon jobs:
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists – 8.32%
- Manicurists and pedicurists – 9.31%
- Skincare specialists – 34.55%
The Saint Paul-Minneapolis greater metropolitan area represents the urban space where barbers earn the highest average wage in the nation. In Wisconsin hairdressers, cosmetologists, and hairstylists enjoy the fourth-highest concentration of jobs in the United States. This includes Eastern Wisconsin, the number-one rural region nationwide when it comes to having the highest concentration of jobs in these fields.
In association with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, the Wisconsin Cosmetology Examining Board regulates professionals who work in the beauty industry as cosmetologists, makeup artists, estheticians and makeup artists. Wisconsin’s Barbering Advisory Committee regulates barbers.
To work in a personal care profession regulated by either of these agencies you must be licensed in a specific field of practice after graduating from an approved beauty college or completing an approved apprenticeship.
Becoming a Cosmetologist in Wisconsin
Officially referred to as a Cosmetology Practitioner, as a licensed cosmetologist you will be able to offer your clients a variety of options. This will include all services associated with hair styling, barbering, aesthetics – including makeup artistry and manicuring – including pedicures and other nail services.
You will also be allowed to remove human hair at its root, however not with the use of an electric needle.
Wisconsin Cosmetology Education
The first step to becoming a licensed cosmetologist is education. You must complete one of these preparation programs to qualify for a license:
- Beauty school that includes at least 1,550 hours of instruction
- Cosmetology apprenticeship that lasts at least 4,000 hours
Whichever route you choose, you can expect to study subjects like:
- Hair cutting, tapering, curling, thermal waving, shampooing,
- Razor hair styling
- Beard/mustache shaving/trimming
- Superfluous hair removal
- Facial makeup, including eyelashes
- Facial massage
- Manicuring, pedicuring, and nail enhancements
- Anatomy and physiology of the nails, hair, and skin
- Laws, rules, and ethics
- Hygiene, bacteriology, sanitation, and sterilization
Examinations for Licensure as a Cosmetologist
Before you can become licensed you will need to pass two exams, both of which are administered by Pearson VUE:
- Cosmetology Theory Examination
- Practical Skills Cosmetology Examination
20 questions regarding Wisconsin laws and regulations are included as part of the theory exam.
You can find detailed information about both these exams by consulting the Wisconsin Candidate Handbook.
Cosmetologist Employers in Wisconsin
As a licensed cosmetologist you will have the most options for employment from all beauty professionals licensed by the Wisconsin Cosmetology Examining Board. This can include jobs in fields such as:
- Beauty salons and day spas
- Hair salons, studios, and barber shops
- Cosmetic companies and retail outlet stores
- Skin care businesses
- Nail salons
- Companies that need makeup artists, including film production, theatre, and dance
Becoming a Nail Technician in Wisconsin
Officially referred to as a manicurist, as a licensed nail technician you will be able to offer your clients manicures, pedicures, and associated treatments like nail extensions.
Nail Technician Education in Wisconsin
To become a licensed manicurist you will need to complete either of the following educational options:
- Graduate from an approved nail technician school that is at least 300 hours in length
- Complete at least 300 hours of training from an approved cosmetology or manicurist instructor
While studying to become a nail technician, your education will focus on subjects like:
- Skin and nail disorders
- Introduction to advertising
- Anatomy and physiology
- Nail enhancements
- Manicuring and pedicuring
- Wisconsin laws and business practices
- Safety and sanitation
Examinations for Licensure as a Manicurist
You will need to pass two examinations to become licensed as a manicurist. These are both administered by the testing company Pearson VUE:
- Manicurist Theory Examination – includes a portion dedicated to Wisconsin laws and regulations
- Manicurist Practical Examination
You can start preparing for these by reviewing the manicurist exam information in Pearson VUE’s Candidate Handbook.
Manicurist Employers in Wisconsin
Neroli Salon and Spa in Milwaukee is one example of where you could work as a skilled nail technician. This establishment hires manicurists to provide services that range from chakra reflexology and stone therapy to more traditional gel polish and paraffin treatments. In this type of spa environment you would work alongside makeup artists, aestheticians, and cosmetologists.
Some other well-respected nail establishments include:
- Gloss Nail Spa in Milwaukee
- Laguna Nail and Spa in Racine
- A and L Nails in Appleton
- Green Bay Nails Salon
- Tranquility Spa in Green Bay
Becoming an Aesthetician in Wisconsin
As a licensed aesthetician you will be able to provide skin care services for your clients that include:
- Makeup application
- Beauty product application
- Facial masks and mud treatments
Education to Become an Aesthetician in Wisconsin
To become a licensed aesthetician you will need to complete one of the following:
- Graduate from an approved aesthetics school that is at least 450 hours in length
- Complete at least 450 hours of training with an approved aesthetics or cosmetology instructor
Your courses of study will include subjects like:
- Makeup and color analysis
- Skin diseases, disorders, anatomy, and physiology
- Skin treatment products and techniques
- Chemistry of skin and makeup products
- Machines, electricity, and equipment
- Sterilization, safety, and sanitation
- Wisconsin laws and business management
Required Examinations for Licensure
The testing company Pearson VUE sponsors both the examinations you will need to pass to become eligible for an aesthetician license:
- Aesthetician Theory Examination, including a segment covering Wisconsin laws and regulations regarding the field of beauty
- Aesthetician Practical Examination
Pearson VUE provides a Candidate Handbook you can use to start preparing for these exams in advance.
Aesthetician Employers in Wisconsin
As an aesthetician you will be qualified to work in a number of beauty fields:
- Makeup artistry
- Skin care and cosmetic companies
- Beauty salons and day spas
That means you can potentially find employment with companies such as these:
- Revlon in New Berlin
- Indulge Spa in Madison
- Temptd Salon and Spa in Madison
- East Town Spa in Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Opera Theatre
- Spot Filmworks in Madison
Becoming an Electrologist in Wisconsin
As an electrologist you will be the only beauty professional who is allowed to permanently remove hair from the human body with an electric needle.
Wisconsin Electrologist Education
To be eligible for licensure as an electrologist, you will need to complete one of these education options:
- Graduate from an approved electrologist school that is at least 450 hours in length
- Complete at least 450 of training from an approved electrologist instructor
Whichever course you choose, you will study subjects that include:
- Principles of equipment usage and electricity
- Microbiology, anatomy, and physiology
- Electrology variables and techniques
- Positioning and draping
- Lighting and optics
Examinations for Licensure as an Electrologist
There are two examinations you must pass to become licensed as an electrologist:
- Electrologist Practical Skills Examination – administered by the testing company Pearson VUE
- Electrologist Written Examination – administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
You can prepare for the Practical Skills portion by reviewing Pearson VUE’s Candidate Handbook. You can register for the Written Examination by submitting an application to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services in Madison.
Electrologist Employers in Wisconsin
As a new electrologist you will mostly find employment with established specialty electrolysis establishments, beauty salons, and spas. For example, working as an electrologist at Escape Hair and Body Salon in Milwaukee, you will provide your services as part of spa packages that include hair and massage treatments. Other businesses that offer electrology services include:
- Hair Therapy Electrolysis and Waxing Spa in Oak Creek and Elkhorn
- New Image Total Body Spa in Racine
- Electrolysis and Laser Center in Wausau
- Arabella Spa and Salon in Green Bay
Becoming a Makeup Artist in Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not specifically license the profession of makeup artistry. However, to work as a makeup artist you must be licensed as one of the following:
- Aesthetician
- Cosmetologist
If you want to work as a permanent makeup artist you will need to obtain a tattoo practitioner license, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Makeup Artist Employers in Wisconsin
As a makeup artist you may find that multiple fields demand a professional with your skills, including cosmetic companies, film studios, bridal events, and beauty salons. Some of these establishments include:
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics, and Fragrance, with locations in Glendale and Wauwatosa
- Bare Escentuals in Glendale
- The film production company 16 Hands Studio in Cottage Grove
- Launch Photography, Film, and Video in Green Bay
- Blush Beauty Boutique in Milwaukee
- Le Visage in Greenfield
Becoming a Barber in Wisconsin
As a licensed barber you will be able to offer your customers services that include:
- Styling, arranging, dressing, shampooing, dyeing, coloring, and cutting hair
- Cutting, shaving, or trimming facial hair
- Relaxing, singing, and perming hair
Education to Become a Barber in Wisconsin
You will need to complete one of the following options to become eligible for a barber license:
- Graduate from an approved barbering school that is at least 1,000 hours in length
- Complete an approved barbering apprenticeship that is at least 2,000 hours in length
As part of your barber education you will study topics that include:
- Hair styling and cutting techniques
- Techniques for hair dyeing, lightening, and bleaching
- Techniques for hair relaxing and perming
- Business ethics and management
- Facial hair management and care
- Safety, sanitation, disinfection, and hygiene
- Wisconsin laws and rules
Required Barber Examinations for Licensure
You will need to complete these two examinations before you will be eligible to become a licensed barber:
- Barber Theory Examination – including a segment on Wisconsin beauty laws and regulations
- Barber Practical Examination
These are both administered by the testing company Pearson VUE, which also provides a Candidate Handbook you can use to prepare for these examinations.
Barber Employers in Wisconsin
As a barber, it is most likely that you will own your own establishment or work as an employee at an already existing barber shop. You may already recognize some of the following names in Wisconsin:
- Stag Barbershop in Milwaukee
- Handsome Barbershop in Milwaukee
- Jerry’s Barber Shop in Oshkosh
- Roy’s Barber Shop in Eau Claire
- Dee’s Barber Shop in Janesville
- Buckeye Barber Shop in Madison