Page 15 - Cosmetology

You may find a job as a Cosmetologist through skill centers, high school, and
cosmetology school placement offices, or newspaper want ads.

Applying directly to employers is the most common method of entering
cosmetology. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line
employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank
America’s Job Bank
Classifieds Employment
Yahoo! Careers
MONSTER.COM
Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings depend on the size and location of the salon, competition from other
salons, quality and speed of a Cosmetologist's work, tipping habits of patrons, and
ability to keep regular customers. Cosmetologists are paid either straight
commission, base salary plus commission, or straight salary. Most receive tips
that increase their total earnings greatly.

Nationally (1998), the weekly median income for all Cosmetologists was $313.
Beauty shop employees however, worked only an average of 28 hours per week in
1998.

Since most Cosmetologists are paid on a commission basis, their earnings may
fall anywhere within a range, depending on the number of appointments
scheduled in a given week. Experienced, well-established Cosmetologists may
earn over $750 during a busy week (1998).

Cosmetologists employed by the State of Michigan earned from $506 to $656 per
week in 1999.

The 1997 graduates of Michigan high school vocational education programs
earned a beginning average of $7.47 per hour in jobs related to this occupation in
1998.

In many large salons, hotels, and department stores, Cosmetologists receive health
and life insurance and other benefits.