Can I make a decent living being a hairstylist?

im a hair stylist and first off you have to love being one in order to achieve. then you have to develop the confidence in order to build a cleintele. i love my job and i make enough to take care of myself, but i have the opportunity to advance even more everyday. you decide your paycheck as a hairstylist especially if you work for yourself and i suggest you do if you really want to expand financially but if you just want to live good and go home at the end of the day try a high end company once you have the skills which take some time

Its not easy trust me. Most people hop from one place to another. Then when you find it the pay isn't that great either. One way I've been making some extra money to pay for bills is to do surveys and offers at [comment edited by forum moderator] They are one of the ones that isn't a scam. Its a little boring but you can actually make enough money to pay for a few of your bills without putting very much time in. I still love doing hair and thats what keeps me going.

Thanks for the advice. If I decide to go to school and come out with a license...do I begin cutting hair right away or do I have to put in time washing hair, sweeping floors?

It just depends on the type of salon you go to. After i finished school i got a job right away.My first day there... i had clients! Of coarse i still swept up my hair, did laundry and all that good stuff in between my clients. just depends

NYC girl in Brooklyn, New York said: Thanks for the advice. If I decide to go to school and come out with a license...do I begin cutting hair right away or do I have to put in time washing hair, sweeping floors?

If you want to make a lot of money in the longrun it is worth be an apprentice for a year or two in a high end salon. You earn the respect of experienced stylists and the owners and work your way into a high end salon where haircuts start at $60 and with color & hi-lights come out to $250. If you put in the time and the effort and give the trade the appreciation and respect that it deserves you will reap financial rewards. If you want to work in a chain salon...good luck. The money is less than average. Maybe 25,000 a year,

Thanks for your advice Suzie!

NYC girl in Brooklyn, New York said: Thanks Kila. I really appreciate your advice. One other question...if I go to school at Carsten and then get my license, will I get work as a hairstylist or do I have to start by washing hair and sweeping floors?

once you have a license you are able to work in any salon as long as you have the skills

haha. I'm also from Brooklyn, NY... in the SAME problem as this chick...Yeah I'm half way through Collge too...thinkin about droppin it to go be a hair stylist...THE BEST school in NY btw, is Paul Mitchell Academy which is in Staten Island, and of course I have questions to as far as the income goes and how i'll be without training wheels once I graduate....but I've been talented with hair & make-up since the age of 13....I always had a passion for it anyway.... I just hope I can make a living out of it....not expecting anything crazy....I'd be happy with enough to live decently....but you guys think it's tough to find a job right after you come out of cosmetology school in NYC ????

jayme in Granite City, Illinois said: dont do it !!!! theres tooo much involved, you have to absolutely 100 % be in love w/ the job. I work at a salon that i have to pay booth rental and buy my own supplies (color developers foils gloves u name it) not to mention i PAY IN yes PAY IN to taxes every year! most places you go, unless it is a chain, offer absolutely no benefits or vacation. and if you have any children FORGET ABOUT IT child care is outragious so you pretty much end up working to pay for work. stay in college

--screw that! if you love your job and you are GOOD at what you do, you will do FINE. i've been licensed for 2 yrs & only started building clientelle within the past yr and already have enough money for a down payment on a house & im 20 yrs old! everyone is different ; dont scare ppl away from something they want to do just because you're no good at it!

Can I make good money in Tulsa, OK? I'm looking at schools in the area and also looking at how much I could look to make my first year. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My partner (lover) owns a "top of the line" salon in his detached garagage and he has more clients he will ever need for his business in the high end neighborhood. I'm a "struggling" artist (paintings/sculptures) and work administrative job full-time for 20yrs. I am 45 yrs old. Using my creative skills, wouldn't going to a beauty school be a wise thing to do and work in this wonderful salon of his?

I wanna be a cosmetologist and i need help on a paper!!! somebody tell me what to write about the differences between independnt salons and chain salons? i need anwserss please!

people dont need to be rude to other people about these things. everyone should just give there own oppinion or story about there life and success of being a hair stylist so that this girl can see all the different life styles that people have while being a hair stylist and decide if she thinks that its the right occupation for her or not,

kendallll. in Cedar Park, Texas said: people dont need to be rude to other people about these things. everyone should just give there own oppinion or story about there life and success of being a hair stylist so that this girl can see all the different life styles that people have while being a hair stylist and decide if she thinks that its the right occupation for her or not,

u spelled opinion wrong

you spelled you own name wrong.
so i wouldnt be talking cole.
your not my friend anymore

kendallll. in Cedar Park, Texas said: you spelled you own name wrong.
so i wouldnt be talking cole.
your not my friend anymore

im jk

im not

kendallll. in Cedar Park, Texas said: im not

alright well why cant you say this in real life because you are less than 2 feet away

kendallll. in Cedar Park, Texas said: because im never ever talking to you again. we are no longer friends so leave me alone!

ight

Hey gals Im thinking of making a career change do you think a 50 year old can cut hair and not get discriminated againt because of her age??

no ha!

Hi jayme
Ok so Im taking that an older woman no matter how decent she keep herself together WILL get discriminated agains . What are professions for older women 50 + ????Goodness!

yes you can. dont listen to her. it doesnt matter how old you are, besides, people will think you have been doing it for a long time because of your age and come to you because they will think that you really do know what your doing, dont let her scare you away

kendallll. in Cedar Park, Texas said: yes you can. dont listen to her. it doesnt matter how old you are, besides, people will think you have been doing it for a long time because of your age and come to you because they will think that you really do know what your doing, dont let her scare you away

ssupp

oh nothing. you?

bored in this class playin some spider solitare

same same, took you long enough

ashley in Wesley Chapel, Florida said: Its not easy trust me. Most people hop from one place to another. Then when you find it the pay isn't that great either. One way I've been making some extra money to pay for bills is to do surveys and offers at [comment edited by forum moderator] They are one of the ones that isn't a scam. Its a little boring but you can actually make enough money to pay for a few of your bills without putting very much time in. I still love doing hair and thats what keeps me going.

Whats [comment edited by forum moderator] that? How do you get to do that?

i agree w/ ashley! its hard enough for someone whos been doing it since they were young getting into it late in the game is harder. most people think " oh im gonna go to cosmetology school and make people pretty!" hATE to burst your bubble it aint easy. but i guess if u love it...try it more power to yah

NYC girl in Brooklyn, New York said: Thanks Kila. I really appreciate your advice. One other question...if I go to school at Carsten and then get my license, will I get work as a hairstylist or do I have to start by washing hair and sweeping floors?

I have been a hairstylist for 23 years. It's a tricky business and very hard work if you want to make good money. Your paycheck depend on if someone cancels or keeps an appointment for that day or week. I have a daughter in college right now and one in high school. If she asked me about going to beauty school instead of college, I would tell her not to do it. I am burned out with hair right now, so I decided to take a break, but I don't have a backup now. If I had gone to college and decided on beauty school as a backup, I would be fine right now. Luckily, my husband makes pretty good money while I try to go back to school to get a degree at my age. So, I advice you honey, to stay in college and finish. You maybe tire of it, but you will look back on your decision in 20 years and be greatful. You can go to beauty school as a secondary choice later. I have back pain and developed allergies to the chemicals also. Good luck!

Wow yall must be doing hair in North Dakota! lol here in Florida there is a lot of money to be made.

maia in Sarasota, Florida said: Wow yall must be doing hair in North Dakota! lol here in Florida there is a lot of money to be made.

yeah.....there may be alot of money to be made in hairstyling...but the problem there is, is you have to take the time to make a name for yourself....and that does not happen over night! that big amount of money that is out there...is going to those who have been in business for a very long time and if you ask any hairstylist out there they will tell you the same as i am.....its not as glamorous as it looks. take your time...find something that makes you happy....and yet pays well. something that will build you a comfortable birds nest when its time to retire!

I went to Carsten and finished two years ago, I started in the night program and then switched to the day. I was actually a teacher and everyone thinks I"m crazy to give up all those benefits, but I've always wanted to do hair, and I truly do love it.

Here's the lowdown:
Carsten is the best school to go to in NYC. You don't appreciate it while you're in it, but in most schools you barely get to work on human heads, and if you do, it's just roller sets/perms. At Carsten I was doing highlights and cuts on clients everyday, so when I came out of school, I was much more experienced than other graduates.

My fellow classmates went on to be assistants at big name places like Fekkai, Rita Hazaan, Cutler, etc...If you feel you are young enough and patient enough to do this, you will most likely be an assistant for 2-3 years. Hours will be long, you will get yelled at, but you will be making amazing tips ($20 a shampoo), and if you last you will be making serious money and respect.

my reply continued:

For me, it was a little different. I was 27 when I finished school (a little older to get in the game, everyone in my class was around 21), and I was done living and working in the city and having completely insane hours. I felt if I was an assistant for 3 years, I'd be 30 by the time I got on the floor, the time I want to have kids. I moved out to the beach in LI and started assisting in an extremely highend place, but proved myself quickly b/c I was older/more experienced and got on the floor in 4 months. I stayed at that salon for a year but wasn't happy, so am now somewhere new. It's really annoying to switch salons b/c you lose your clients and have to start from scratch, which means no money and sitting for most of the day, but it's only been two months and I'm already getting referrals, and things are getting better everyday. It usually takes a year to start building a following, so don't hop around. Money is not great, and there's no benefits, but I love it. Hope this helps.

I am going to cosmetology school in a few months. i plan on pursuing a career in doing hair but i would like to know if i would be making enough money to earn an independent living. advice please?

i would like to know how much hours i would be working everyday as a hair dresser. i don't really wanna work all day if you know what i mean. lol.

im going to cosmetology school simply because i have no interest in any other career. and no matter what, the demand for hair stylists will remain becuse people are always going to need their hair cut or styled. so this can be almost a guaranteed career after i get a license for it. i agree that college is the best outcome but i want to stick with something i know i have an interest in so i know i will be successful.

Janie Lee, this is meant in all kindness. If you are not wanting to put in long hours, this is probably not the business for you. I have been a stylist since '95 and have worked in about every type of salon. When you are totally new to the biz, working long hours is a must. The typical salon opens at 10 am and you need to be there for the morning people. They there is usually a slow period between 12-2 but then the afternoon/evening rush starts. It is not uncommon to be at the salon working until 8-10 pm (or later!)and you need tobe there to develop the clients and make some money. So it is not unusual to be at the salon 10 hours a day. You may not be working the whole time as a new stylist, but you need to be there. And when you are not working, you are not earning.

And from a salon owners viewpoint, if you are not willing to pay your dues and be there for walk-ins and new clients, you are not seen as being motivated. Every stylist has had to do this in the beginning, and it will just depend on you how long it takes to build a clientel. If time goes by and the owner does not think you are really aggresively trying to build clients, they will put someone else in that chair who will. This may sound harsh, but it is the reality of business.

There will always be demand for stylists, but it is survival of the fittest. The best will always be busy and do well, the mediocher will usually end up changing careers. There are so many stylists now, there is no such thing as a guaranteed career. It depends 100% on the stylists talents and ability. Most ppl would rather wait 2 weeks to get in with someone they know is good, instead of seeing someone mediocher immediately. It is the nature of the beast.

Good luck to you if you decide to pursue it. But just know it is a very hard career and you absolutely have to love it to make it. There is no easy ride in the hair industry.

ashkaylin said: I have been a hairstylist for 23 years. It's a tricky business and very hard work if you want to make good money. Your paycheck depend on if someone cancels or keeps an appointment for that day or week. I have a daughter in college right now and one in high school. If she asked me about going to beauty school instead of college, I would tell her not to do it. I am burned out with hair right now, so I decided to take a break, but I don't have a backup now. If I had gone to college and decided on beauty school as a backup, I would be fine right now. Luckily, my husband makes pretty good money while I try to go back to school to get a degree at my age. So, I advice you honey, to stay in college and finish. You maybe tire of it, but you will look back on your decision in 20 years and be greatful. You can go to beauty school as a secondary choice later. I have back pain and developed allergies to the chemicals also. Good luck!

i could not agree more...ive been a stylist since 2005 and it just seems to be a constant struggle for me! ive been in a few different salons but it all seems to repeat itself...unreliable pay...no benefits...expensive to keep goin! :(

I work at JCPenney salon, as a salon receptionist, and feel that I should continue working there during cosmetology school. Should I stay at JCPenney after becoming licensed, or go to a high end salon? Also, there is a JCPenney located on the other side of town (aka the higher end - these people all have college degrees and make 100k annually!). Should I go to work there as a stylist, or go to a higher-end salon?

I am finishing up at The Aveda Institute and I love it. I have a college degree and finally decided to follow my heart and go to cosmetology school. I want to move to New York City upon graduation. I would love to do hair, and I understand this may be a pipe dream. I am no stranger to hard work and I am more than willing to put in long hours. My question is: Is it possible to work a second job (i.e., in a restaurant) in addition to the long hours being put in at the salon (assisting/apprenticing)? Do you work until 10pm every single day or can you get off in time to go work in a restaurant. I am not scared of being tired...I just want to know if it is possible to support oneself in NYC starting out? Anyone???

kila in Norfolk, Virginia said: im a hair stylist and first off you have to love being one in order to achieve. then you have to develop the confidence in order to build a cleintele. i love my job and i make enough to take care of myself, but i have the opportunity to advance even more everyday. you decide your paycheck as a hairstylist especially if you work for yourself and i suggest you do if you really want to expand financially but if you just want to live good and go home at the end of the day try a high end company once you have the skills which take some time

I am finishing up at The Aveda Institute and I love it. I have a college degree and finally decided to follow my heart and go to cosmetology school. I want to move to New York City upon graduation. I would love to do hair, and I understand this may be a pipe dream. I am no stranger to hard work and I am more than willing to put in long hours. My question is: Is it possible to work a second job (i.e., in a restaurant) in addition to the long hours being put in at the salon (assisting/apprenticing)? Do you work until 10pm every single day or can you get off in time to go work in a restaurant. I am not scared of being tired...I just want to know if it is possible to support oneself in NYC starting out? Anyone???

Sure you can.. I'm about to go to Aveda Institute... I grew up in NY my whole life..... I am also a passionate underground Club/Techno Producer and DJ. I am going to work in a spa, doing facials.....and also producing my tracks and spinning in various clubs in around NYC. These are both equal passions of mine. You can fit time into anything if you want to.

jayme in Granite City, Illinois said:

Hello Jayme, Sorry to hear you are having such a struggle. It is very unfortunate in our industry that there are more unreliable, unaccountable salons out there.

To all who are struggling in this industry you do not have to.
I am a salon owner and would not run my business anything less than professional and reliable for our stylists to succeed. I hold myself accountable to their success. My business is not successful if they are not happy and motivated as a team. I have stylists that make enough to purchase their own home and they are single. No man to have to co-sign or help them finance. I am very proud of them and they have worked their butts off for it.
My function as an owner is just like a coach of a football or baseball team. Your team is only as good as your coach. If your coach isn't present, isn't there for guidance, isn't helping you be successful then you need to find a team that is.
I would look for a salon that is a PBA member. You can look up salons that are members here www.probeauty.org/sections/directory/ Distributors and manufactures are listed first so you will have to scroll down to see salon/spa members. They are in alphabetical order. I also encourage you to become an NCA member which is now a part of PBA. You will get a lot of help from both organizations. They have helped me more than I ever imagined. I would no longer have a salon if it were not for PBA (formerly known as TSA)Look for a salon that offers regular education & has an education fund. Try to find on that offers medical insurance. Yes there are many out there. I am one.

Finding a good salon is like dating.. visit each salon you are considering. Spend a full day in it & see if it fits

What r some different jobs you can work at while in school. I am going to be attending Paul Mitchell's school here in Houston from 5 pm to 10 pm and I need to figure out how to make a decent living while in school. I am having trouble trying to figure out what job will fit my sch. and also enable me to continue my current lifestyle.

brittanyy521 in Utica, New York said: --screw that! if you love your job and you are GOOD at what you do, you will do FINE. i've been licensed for 2 yrs & only started building clientelle within the past yr and already have enough money for a down payment on a house & im 20 yrs old! everyone is different ; dont scare ppl away from something they want to do just because you're no good at it!

thank you soooo much for clearing that up brittanyy521. i have been stired away from doing hair my WHOLE life by my family. I taught myself how to braid by the age of 4yrs old and have been doing hair on the side my WHOLE LIFE. I NEVER had the courage to do hair full time and I am now 24yrs old and doing a job that i absolutely KNOW is not for me. If your heart is in what you do the rest (finacially) will take care of itself. Follow your heart!! I am taking my own advice and in the process of getting on at a chain salon just to build my clientale and still have benefits and a pay check. Once I put in my time there I plan to open my own hair salon. As far as benefits sweetie bluecross blueshield has plenty of plans for business owners. And retirement is as simple as going to the bank opening an IRA!! "Jobs" are great but for those of ius that have drive and passion we do not need a JOB to delegate our money. Trust me it can be done. Please listen to your heart. I dont know if I would suggest totally quitting school depending on how far along you are BUT maybe you can go part time and work at a chain salon and by the time you finish school you will have a decent clientale and a degree. Let me know if you have ANY questions.

New student in Houston, Texas said: What r some different jobs you can work at while in school. I am going to be attending Paul Mitchell's school here in Houston from 5 pm to 10 pm and I need to figure out how to make a decent living while in school. I am having trouble trying to figure out what job will fit my sch. and also enable me to continue my current lifestyle.

not sure if you have any college course but substituting is great. if you dont want to go to work you dont have to answer the phone when the district calls. I worked at a bank for 3yrs. Bankers hours might be very beneficial for your school sched! hope this helped

50 + in Forest Hills, New York said: Hey gals Im thinking of making a career change do you think a 50 year old can cut hair and not get discriminated againt because of her age??

Yes, I do I started doing hair when I was 39 I am 42 now....You can do it... I do...

I have a simple question...what is the typical price for COSMO SCHOOL?? I am enrolled, I don't start untill a couple of weeks the tuition is like $$20,000, to me this seems expensive! Does it matter wht school you go to? Is the cirriculam the same? Thank you

sorry I meant *curriculum* =)