how much do hairstylist get paid?

I have been going through apparently what a lot of you have been in trying to decide if to go to hair school. I have been a mortgage broker for the last 12 years and am 33 years old. I have some of the same fears I think....am I too old to start out, will I be able to make the money that I've been used to making in years past. But for me, I think I need something that makes me feel good inside again. I know that all jobs have their ups and downs but people generally seem happy when I go to my salon. I know that it will take awhile to build up my clientel but it's like any other business, you have to market and in this case, it's marketing yourself.

Also, don't forget to start building up your clientele while you are IN school. That way you'll already have steady clients when you get out on your own.

Lea Monroe in Dallas, Texas said: Also, don't forget to start building up your clientele while you are IN school. That way you'll already have steady clients when you get out on your own.

Thanks for the website! That's very helpful. If you don't mind me asking, what type of range do you charge for extensions and how long do they take you to do? I went for a consult once and it was over 1k. Was a little steep when I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. But is that typical?

secret stylist said: I have been doing hair 24 years,and did go back to school to get an Instructors License 19 years ago, for last six years I have worked at various places, doing hair is not what it used be. If you work in a office and are getting paid more than 7.25, and have benfits I would hold on to that job. I understand the creative out-let, but let it be only part-time 2 days a week.You can piss in one hand and wish in another hand witch hand is going to fill up faster. Get real,stay real,get grounded,it's alright to dream or to think about something, then you have to face the fact of what it really takes to get there.

I am definitely holding on to my current job. Hair styling will just be a side business for me for probably the next 10 years.
Maybe when the economy picks up again, then maybe I will only do hair. But who knows.

OhioBelle in Mason, Ohio said: I have been going through apparently what a lot of you have been in trying to decide if to go to hair school. I have been a mortgage broker for the last 12 years and am 33 years old. I have some of the same fears I think....am I too old to start out, will I be able to make the money that I've been used to making in years past. But for me, I think I need something that makes me feel good inside again. I know that all jobs have their ups and downs but people generally seem happy when I go to my salon. I know that it will take awhile to build up my clientel but it's like any other business, you have to market and in this case, it's marketing yourself.

Hi! I am in same boat, except I am OLDER than you and scared to death that I might be making a mistake. Cosmetology school is a time and money commitment. I was a mortgage broker for 12 years, 10 of which I had my own company. Closed down Dec. 08 like just about everyone else I know in the biz. Always loved hair and EVERY time I get my hair cut I talk about "getting into it", but I never have.

Finally signed up at Empire Beauty Schools in Tamarac, Florida. I have been reading everyone's comments and I realize that the money that can be made is all over the place. Obviously it is a concern for me also. I realize that it will take time to build up clients, and I agonize that I am "too old" to start a new career. I don't look my age (48)and I certainly don't feel my age, but "my age" I am!

So, can anyone tell me if they think that indeed I am too old to start this?

Everyones comments will be appreciated!

While I am here, does anyone have anything to say or any knowledge about Empire Beauty Schools? They talk a good game, but I would really appreciate any comments or feedback. It is very close to my work, so I would be able to leave my job and attend classes (Mon -Thurs). The program is $15,000.00, which I think is about average. Anyways, any feedback appreciated!

That is a ridiculous amount to pay for a a hairstyling course. There are Adult high schools that are free to take a course. You have to look for them.

In Arizona Empire schools are owned by Regis Corporation. Regis owns most of SuperCuts, SmartStyles in Wal-mart,Cost Cutter, Master Cuts, and Kool Cuts for Kids,Regis,Trade Secrets. The advantage is you can work at Smart Style, Cost Cutters and Master Cuts the register and how they close is the exact same I am not sure about the other salons. When work for Regis it is the exact same, might varies a little but your base pay is minium wage 7.25. or comm. if comm. is higher than your hourly wage then you make 10 percent of your products sold added to comm is on a sliding scale where it starts to where it ends. I worked for Smart Style three times at different places. The third time I was working at Smart Style 11 months after I was working there I had a customer complaint long story short it went to State Board. I was tould by State Board to write my version of the insident and I had 10 days to get it sent to State Board. That night I wrote it the next day I mailed it certified. I had copy I for work and came in at 5:00 p.m. I worked 5-9. When I came in the District Manager and Regional manager was there, I did not know this and I don't think my Manger knew this but they wanted to help me write the letter. When they found out I had already written the letter and mailed it they both started giving me a hard time. I stop working there that day . Both the Regional and I had a understanding that was what I wanted to do. A couple of months later the case was dropped. I tried putting applications in at different Regis corporations,Super cuts, Cost cutters and Smart Style. I really believe it has someing to do with that situation and their something negitive to make it so that Regis does not hire me. The last Smart Style I worked at they only had three of us working just as one would come on the other one would leave. They hired two people but they did not stay. It was hard because you had to ring up products while you where with clients. There was a lot of walk outs

Chloe Lee in Hollywood, Florida said: Hi! I am in same boat, except I am OLDER than you and scared to death that I might be making a mistake. Cosmetology school is a time and money commitment. I was a mortgage broker for 12 years, 10 of which I had my own company. Closed down Dec. 08 like just about everyone else I know in the biz. Always loved hair and EVERY time I get my hair cut I talk about "getting into it", but I never have.

Finally signed up at Empire Beauty Schools in Tamarac, Florida. I have been reading everyone's comments and I realize that the money that can be made is all over the place. Obviously it is a concern for me also. I realize that it will take time to build up clients, and I agonize that I am "too old" to start a new career. I don't look my age (48)and I certainly don't feel my age, but "my age" I am!

So, can anyone tell me if they think that indeed I am too old to start this?

Everyones comments will be appreciated!

I don't feel your too old,but for amount spent on cosmetology School it is so much more than what you make in a hourly wage being a hair stylist. I can understand the creative out-let but when I got my license in 1985 I paid 2,500.00 it took me five years at 50.00 a month to pay off the loan I had no grants that was the lump sum. The best time to go school is when your in High School because it's so much less, or if you qualify for pell grants. In 1990 that is how I got my Instructors license I paid nothing and I was given 300.00 for going to school.

As far as going back to school when you're older: Most older people don't qualify for any public or private tuition assistance unless they're already on public aid/recieving benfits. Pell grants are not available for beauty schools (at least not around here, now...maybe it was different in the '80's). It's $12K a year to go to cosmotology school full-time. Most people can't leave a full-time job to go to school full-time and take on that kind of debt. Although you may want to "follow your dreams" there are a lot of pragmatic issues to consider. Basically, unless you're very poor or very rich beauty school is out of the question for middle-aged (ansd middle-income) people.

You are too old to make a career change like that. By the time you build a clientele ,you will be in your 50s and in a few years ,you will be ready to retire. It is not the glamorous job you think it is. Think twice about it. The money is no good unless you work in a upper scale salon. In the upper scale salons they will not put you on the floor unless you have a great deal of training. This is another thing you have to think about. You will be an assistant before you will get a chance to do hair and that is one of the hardest jobs there is in a salon. Your back will pay a price.Take it from some one who started when I was young and worked like a dog to get where I am. I have seen older hairstylist start out and a number of them didn't last.I realize some may think this is negative feed back,however,it is reality . If you choose to continue with this career good luck to you.

Tanya in Ottawa, Ontario said: That is a ridiculous amount to pay for a a hairstyling course. There are Adult high schools that are free to take a course. You have to look for them.

Maybe in Ontario there are, but not where I am. There is a Technical school that offers the program, but it is only full time during the day, which I can't do.

Sorry but that "gifted" thing is a crock.

There are MANY gifted stylists out there that work at Supercuts and are fantastic stylists!

If you make a lot of $$ in the industry you are probably attractive and are personable. You know how to market yourself and your services.

The MAJORITY of being a successful stylist is being a good salesperson and a great people person.

If you want to be a stylist, go to beauty school that will teach you to pass your state board. There are some that have excellent instructors and you will learn more, but the majority of your artistic education should come after beauty school. Beauty school is, again, prep to pass your state board.

I to have been in the Mortgage bus. for the last 13 years working for myself mosly in the subprime side..made lots of good money.I have had my hair lic. for 21 years..got them out of high school opend my own shop at 22 had it for about 3 years to much,to young.got burned out,got out of hair all together..got into mortg.
love it and the money.And here I am at 44 doing hair again for the last year and 3 mos. no refreshe courses nothing,got behind a chair in an upscale type shop and it was almost like i never left.if you have talen ,you have it.The different bobs were hard at first for me to get,cant leave room for error or it looks bad!but other than that,had to go somewhere to build clientel...and that is another whole subject.How hard it is ,will determine where you live at.Here in polk co. it is soooo hard,there is a shop of every corner,and not alot of plaza type shops,so getting lots of walkins doesnt really exist,unless you go to fantastic sams..which after being out of it soo long,i was not going to do.Remember,where you build your clientel is where your gonna stay,cause they wont pay higher prices if you start low..I love doing hair again,however...it is hard to make near the mony that you made in Mtg's.In mtgs. you had many things working at once..in hair YOU are the only thing working At once!!! that was hard for me to get used to ,the minute by minute job with no lunch sometimes and standing all day. that is alot different than chatting on a phone while you sit,and answering you calls at lunch visiting...But all things change,nothing good last forever..we all know that.So you have to follow your heart.Your neve to old to do anthing,you just have to decide ifyou have the energy to go through the process which s kinda lengthy...???Buy the way,just opened my own 3 person shop...dont want big drama shops..just personal hair studio,people are lovin it...What ever you decide,do it with all your heart. blessings

Chloe Lee, if you can pull it off GO FOR IT! Beauty school is a blast (I am 47 and I went when I was 27), but I do agree with the others that it should not be your primary source of income for awhile. If you can work weekends and some evenings at a salon and then another job during the day you should be able to pull it off.

The good thing about cosmetology is that once you are done with that, you are licensed (at least in my state) to do it all.

I am a cosmo (that let her license lapse last renewal so I get to take my state board again woo fun) but I am going to just do acrylics on the side. I wish I had kept my "hand in" so to speak.

elaine in Canton, Ohio said: I would like to know the following:

As a Salon owner, (about to open in 1 month) if I charge a booth rental of $200.00 a week, but the stylist does not need to buy supplies, as the salon supplies everything for you to use, is that a reasonable amount, and also if you have some stylist on comission at 40% per head.

The stylist should supply everything if they are renting.

laura-florida said: I to have been in the Mortgage bus. for the last 13 years working for myself mosly in the subprime side..made lots of good money.I have had my hair lic. for 21 years..got them out of high school opend my own shop at 22 had it for about 3 years to much,to young.got burned out,got out of hair all together..got into mortg.
love it and the money.And here I am at 44 doing hair again for the last year and 3 mos. no refreshe courses nothing,got behind a chair in an upscale type shop and it was almost like i never left.if you have talen ,you have it.The different bobs were hard at first for me to get,cant leave room for error or it looks bad!but other than that,had to go somewhere to build clientel...and that is another whole subject.How hard it is ,will determine where you live at.Here in polk co. it is soooo hard,there is a shop of every corner,and not alot of plaza type shops,so getting lots of walkins doesnt really exist,unless you go to fantastic sams..which after being out of it soo long,i was not going to do.Remember,where you build your clientel is where your gonna stay,cause they wont pay higher prices if you start low..I love doing hair again,however...it is hard to make near the mony that you made in Mtg's.In mtgs. you had many things working at once..in hair YOU are the only thing working At once!!! that was hard for me to get used to ,the minute by minute job with no lunch sometimes and standing all day. that is alot different than chatting on a phone while you sit,and answering you calls at lunch visiting...But all things change,nothing good last forever..we all know that.So you have to follow your heart.Your neve to old to do anthing,you just have to decide ifyou have the energy to go through the process which s kinda lengthy...???Buy the way,just opened my own 3 person shop...dont want big drama shops..just personal hair studio,people are lovin it...What ever you decide,do it with all your heart. blessings

Thank you!

Laura, I wanted to expand on my thank you. I was so sad yesterday after reading Ontario's comment. I am not a fool, I realize that it will be hard work and long hours for a long time. I also realize that I will probably NEVER make the money I was making doing mortgages again, regardless of what I do. Right now, however, I am working a job that pays me $45,000.00 per year and is killing my soul.

I appreciate your comments and encouragement. I know it might sound silly, but I know in my heart and in my gut that I will be very good at this and that I will succeed. In the meantime, I will keep up my Pilates classes and when my back hurts I'll take Motrin! Thanks again!

Melanie in Irvine, California said: Chloe Lee, if you can pull it off GO FOR IT! Beauty school is a blast (I am 47 and I went when I was 27), but I do agree with the others that it should not be your primary source of income for awhile. If you can work weekends and some evenings at a salon and then another job during the day you should be able to pull it off.

The good thing about cosmetology is that once you are done with that, you are licensed (at least in my state) to do it all.

I am a cosmo (that let her license lapse last renewal so I get to take my state board again woo fun) but I am going to just do acrylics on the side. I wish I had kept my "hand in" so to speak.

Melaine, thank you for your reply. As I told Laura, I was feeling dejected and discouraged after reading Ontario's reply to me. Although I feel that "she" has some valid points I can't help but continue to believe that we (humans) can do anything we set our mind to.

I think I have to GO FOR IT. I know it will be hard, but if I DON'T do it, the time will continue to pass, and 10 years from now I will be wondering "what if". Obviously I will not be making the $200k per year I was doing as a mortgage broker, but hopefully I will make a decent living and not feel like a rat in a cage.

Thanks for your envouragement!

Chloe Lee in Hollywood, Florida said: Melaine, thank you for your reply. As I told Laura, I was feeling dejected and discouraged after reading Ontario's reply to me. Although I feel that "she" has some valid points I can't help but continue to believe that we (humans) can do anything we set our mind to.

I think I have to GO FOR IT. I know it will be hard, but if I DON'T do it, the time will continue to pass, and 10 years from now I will be wondering "what if". Obviously I will not be making the $200k per year I was doing as a mortgage broker, but hopefully I will make a decent living and not feel like a rat in a cage.

Thanks for your envouragement!

I just wanted to comment on some of the other things you've seen. Having had my own broker shop for the last 5 years of the 12 that I was in this industry, I know that you have been through a lot! Believe me, I'm working for someone else even now and it's just not the market that it once was when we were pulling down all that money. You're right that things don't last forever and I think when you feel like your soul is dying as you put it, you just have to find something else to make you happy.

You can email me anything for mortgage therapy together....lol Email is missymgm@aol.com But over all I'm about 90% sure I'm going to start hairschool at the end of August. I'm scared and not sure but I know that have to make a change!

There is government programs here, that would allow you to go back to school,if you can prove that doing so, is in your best interest.They would pay for you to go back to school and therefore you could quit your job. It has to be a convincing reason. I don't know if you have programs like this in the USA,however,you could check it out.$15,000 dollars to take a hairstyling course is a rip off.They teach you the basics.Any thing else you learn on your own.Good luck ,what ever you do to become a hairstylist.

Chloe Lee in Hollywood, Florida said: Laura, I wanted to expand on my thank you. I was so sad yesterday after reading Ontario's comment. I am not a fool, I realize that it will be hard work and long hours for a long time. I also realize that I will probably NEVER make the money I was making doing mortgages again, regardless of what I do. Right now, however, I am working a job that pays me $45,000.00 per year and is killing my soul.

I appreciate your comments and encouragement. I know it might sound silly, but I know in my heart and in my gut that I will be very good at this and that I will succeed. In the meantime, I will keep up my Pilates classes and when my back hurts I'll take Motrin! Thanks again!

Chole,
your so welcome.. You have a cute personality so that will go along way in the hair bus.You also were a great sales person if you were in the mtg. biz...people must trust your judgement,and It appears you have that personality.Go for it girlfriend,God will give you the power to do it.All you will ever need ,he has already put inside you,for such a time as this.
blessings
Laura-fl.

jenROCKShair said: ive been a stylist for 18 years ... 19 in august. i love what i do, but until you establish a client base it is not lucrative. i make great money now, but it was awhile until i got here. another thing to think about is that there are few benefits in this biz. insurance ... retirement ... vacations. that is something to think about if you have a family. i am seriously thinking about going back to school myself. i am 37 and just cant think of standing behind a styling chair for another 20 years to make all of my income. i will, however, always love it and likely do hair part time even once i have another career. best of luck to you all!!!
¤ jen ¤

Jen I had a stylist that did this! I found her in 1982 working at Regis and I followed her for the next 25 years. She was always very successful as a stylist and she was the only one that I trusted to do my hair besides me! I think she has got to be over 50 now.... the last time I saw her was 2005 or so, and she looked fantastic and also went to school to be a respiratory therapist, which is what she is doing now and I think making even better money. She always had a great personality.... I think that is a lot of what made her successful. Anyway, I just thought I would pass that along. It is possible! Good luck to you!

yes i want to be a cosmotologist hell im only 14 but if i keep trying and see wat the salarys are theese dayz , i no i will succeed .o-0

yes i want to be a cosmotologist hell im only 14 but if i keep trying and see wat the salarys are theese dayz , i no i will succeed .o-0

laura-florida said: Chole,
your so welcome.. You have a cute personality so that will go along way in the hair bus.You also were a great sales person if you were in the mtg. biz...people must trust your judgement,and It appears you have that personality.Go for it girlfriend,God will give you the power to do it.All you will ever need ,he has already put inside you,for such a time as this.
blessings
Laura-fl.

I would keep the 45 thousand job and go to school part-time, till your done with school. Then work part-time as a hair stylist and still keep the 45 thousand job. Your 45 thousand dollar job is a great foundation and the hair stylist job is your creative out-let. When your first cutting hair and no matter how long you have been doing hair it seems to happen every hundred to two hundred client you run in to, the client will not like what you do no matter what it is and they make you feel bad and that is the person you remember the longest. It happens if your working full-time or part-time and it happens if your just out of school or have been doing hair a long,long time. When this situation happens it is the same feeling inside and all you can do is try to please this person and let it go but you remember them for next time just in case it's a scam. When you work hourly, you are still getting paid but if they decide to go to someone else then the service will go to another stylist. It really hurts when just getting paid commission and the commission goes to the other stylist. I never worked booth rental but refunding someones money would be hard after doing all the work, and time.When you go to work your not in a bad mood or a negative person or how old you are, or a ugly person or a very good looking person, this situation just happens and you deal with it the best you can, but with hourly pay it makes it so your not losing your time.Remember hourly starts at minimum wage of 7.25.

secret stylist said: I have been doing hair 24 years,and did go back to school to get an Instructors License 19 years ago, for last six years I have worked at various places, doing hair is not what it used be. If you work in a office and are getting paid more than 7.25, and have benfits I would hold on to that job. I understand the creative out-let, but let it be only part-time 2 days a week.You can piss in one hand and wish in another hand witch hand is going to fill up faster. Get real,stay real,get grounded,it's alright to dream or to think about something, then you have to face the fact of what it really takes to get there.

I totally agree.Most stylist cannot support themselves on what we make.We go to school have to have a license and are considered professionals but are not paid like most professionals.

Tanya in Ottawa, Ontario said: There is government programs here, that would allow you to go back to school,if you can prove that doing so, is in your best interest.They would pay for you to go back to school and therefore you could quit your job. It has to be a convincing reason. I don't know if you have programs like this in the USA,however,you could check it out.$15,000 dollars to take a hairstyling course is a rip off.They teach you the basics.Any thing else you learn on your own.Good luck ,what ever you do to become a hairstylist.

I just wanted to mention that here in Colorado, Cosmo schools all start at around $12k. The only 2 schools that are cheaper are Emily Griffith School of Opportunity downtown Denver and Picken's Tech. They are around 7k. However I might not go there as they are public schools and all attendees are about High School age and I don't think I feel completely comfortable there. Also School there starts at 5pm there and I am not off until 5pm, so no way I would make it in time. Whereas the private schools start at 5:30pm.

olivia jackson in Taylor, Texas said: wow that is a lot of money.....................well mi name is olivia and i was intrested in being a cosmtoligst and i wanted to kno how much i would get paid.. but i live in atlanta georiga.. will i still get the ssame amount?????????????/

I've been doin hair for 14 yrs. I just moved to Atl Ga I will tell you that I started working in a salon in of 07 and at first it was very slow but I got out & gave my card to every person I saw on my days off.On the
days I did work, tuesday-saturday I was there open to close and didnt leave for
a minute. I gave each client what they
wanted wether I agreed or not, I would give them my opinion but ultimatly give
them the best version of what they want and they DID come back. After about 4 months of return clients and word of mouth I was steady. It took me a solid 9 months to be FULL.after 2 yrs I had to leave due to health issues for about
6 months.I left my client book with the color formula's . I returned in January to work and called what numbers I
had to let them know I was back but that I wouldnt be working but 2 to 3 days a week.I did intend on only working a little but I love what I do as much now as I did in the beginnig. I love hairshows, they give me motivation and I take every
class I can.The first thing I tell new stylist is when they go for a job the most
important thing is to ask about contin. ed.classes Styles and trends change everyday . My job is my hobby and if I start not to like it I figure out how to change it or I move on.The passion you have will show through in your work.

You are right,Continued education is the most important thing. A hairstylist never stops learning,and the more you know ,the more money you can make.Keep up the good work.

Hey all!

I just had a few questions if you don't mind-

I'm interested in going to school for cosmetology. I feel like I'm very good at doing hair on my friends and my sister already and I love to do it so this would be a good career for me. I was confused to see that a lot of salons charge differently based on how much experience/what title you have. Some titles are "stylist", "senior stylist", "master stylist", "colorist" and "director." Can you be more than one of these and how do you climb up from one to the next?

I also wanted to know how flexible the schedule is. I'm 19 years old, going to school, have a job and having a baby on top of that so I obviously have a lot going on lol. Once I graduate and work in a salon is it a flexible schedule so I can bring my son to/from daycare or to doctors apts. and such?

Last question I promise! I wanted to know how much you think I'd make right out of school on average. I live in Derry, NH which is very close to Manchester and Concord (2 of the biggest cities in NH) and I could also drive to cities in northern Massachusetts including Boston.

Thanks and sorry this is so long! :)

hi there, I new when i was i child i was goin to be a hairdresser but when i was 18 i wasnt very responsible and got pregnant also. so i went to school and when i had my baby,in Ga you have to apply to take the test and wait. It was 3 months
before i could take it. SO YOU CAN DO IT. As for flexability it depends on the salon. Ive had my license for 14 yrs and only had 1 job that wasnt flexable. You
can have differnt titles at once, again in Ga you have to a active license for 18
months before you can become a "master stylist" and some hairdressers say they are "specialist" because its what they like but I believe you cant be a specialist at anything unless you take classes and study on a preticular thing
but i dont make the rules. As for the money at first you have to build a clientel unless you have alot of walkins. It takes time. I moved to a new city
far from where i had been working and built a very nice clientel and started fresh, it took me 3 months to get the managment pos. and a nice base clientel that would send in new people. I was there from open to close, took lunches because if you leave someone would come in. It all about the attitude! Being good
is great but being nice is key. good luck! and dont let anyone talk you out of your dreams, its not always about the money. It feels real good to wake up and go to play your hobby everyday and get paid for it.

Thank you! I'm going to do it :) Now I need to choose a school. I don't know i anyone knows anything about these schools, but Continental or Michael's? Michael's is a Paul Mitchell school and Continental doesn't say what brand they are faithful to. Do you think it would make a difference?

hi there, honestly what you should be looking for is a schools passing rate. How
many people take the state board and pass. the product means nothing its the rate at which people get there license on the first time taking the test. The
test is all that matters in school. I never use anything in the real world that i learned in school but my school had been a 100% passing school for over 10 yrs. As soon as you get out then worry about products and other stuff. I promise
you wont want to take that test but 1 time. I love what I do even after 14 yrs
and you will find what your nitch is and then you hone in on it practice, take
every class you can. Styles and trends change everyday so you will never stop learning. The customers will see that you are passionate about your job and be nice, do what they ask for , not what you want and be nice and they will be back
in 4-6 weeks. Good luck

Thank you so much for your advice! :)

Katherine in Cary, North Carolina said: Hair is an expression of our personality, it gets altered, and grow's back , we have control over it. My life is all about my artistic abilities. I am now 22 and have decided to start a career as a hairstylist. I have a very big dilema. I live in Raleigh North Carolina and the only schools are Aveda and Mitchell's. I am not sure which school would be best and offer the training and skills I need to be sucessful. I was wondering if someone could help with advice as to where would be a more beneficial place to attend? Also would anyone advise starting as an appretiance with a salon while in school? Thanks so Much!!!

I have the same problem as you. I live in Apex, North Carolina and am looking for a beauty school as well. I am almost 20 and currently enrolled at Appalachian State University as a psych major. However cosmetology is my dream. If you need more info you can email me at tinayoogin@gmail.com

i've been doing hair for 2 years. my paychecks are about 600 dollars twice a month. i work about 32-40 hours a week. i also make about 100 a week in tips.

average expected tip for:
cut-2-7 dollars
color service- 5-10 dollars
wax-2 dollars
perm-5 dollars.

You speak the truth & if all else fails I still have my degree to back it all up!!!

I am a 53 year old woman who has been administrative assistant since I graduated high school. I never really like what I did for a living. Now I am an HR Assistant and I am totally bored with my job. I have always thought I would like to be a Hair Stylist. I figure I have another 11 or so years to work. I don't want it to be stuck in an office. I don't have to worry about health insurance as I am on my husband's. I would like to hear what kind of advice current hair stylist can give me.

hi there, if you have always wanted to do hair then do it. you only live once. If your doing it for money then thats the wrong reason!!! I love what I do. Be happy and live while you can. Its fun but you must go to as many hair shows as possible thats the fun part... have fun and be happy.

Thanks Daniellelane1,

I'm going for it.

I just got a job teaching and I love it. I have had my Instructors License for 19 years and I never really tried to get into teaching until the last two years. When ever a school needed a Instructor they would get my address from State Board and I was always getting letters from the schools to teach. For the last two years I have tried every chance I got to work for a school only to be tould I do not have enough expirence.I finally found a school that would up date me and show me their way of teaching and lesson plan used. They starting me off at 13.50 an hour. It is a Mon - Fri job 8:30-5:00 and I love it and best thing for me personally I did not have to fake it till I make it.In Arizona a year after you get your Cosmetology license you can go back and get your Instructors License I really believe with schools being 12,000.00 and higher your monthly payments will be about 300.00 a month for 10 years it might be less, this might be the best way to go to pay off the loan and keep up with monthly bills.

Ginny Scott in Mound City, Kansas said: Howdy all! I am a RN. I have always wanted to be a cosmo girl, love fixing hair. It lights up my world! I am at a fork in the road. If I would have listened to myself 10yrs ago I would already be a cosmetologist, (that's another story) so I became a registered nurse. Now I am sick to death of nursing. I have two small children 8yr (today is her b-day!)and 4yr, we also want to have more. My question is have any of you or know anyone who went through beauty school with kids and supported monetary 1/2 salary in the house? Cosmo school at the college near here is monday thru friday 8a-4p so that puts work on the weekends which is fine, but what did anyone else do? Do you think it is a good idea to even consider this being 31yrs/old? just wish God would write it in black and white sometimes!lol

Hey Girl, I'm 51 & laid-off. I thought I would like a career in Hairstyling. Now I might just find out! I feel young at heart/style. Plus I still have 15 yrs to work & enjoy it. I'm checking into the Paul Mitchell school in our area.
Sherry

Sherry,

I'm 53 and I am starting hair school in two weeks. It's never too late and, yes, I have about another 12 or so years to work. Maybe more with the economy. I want to enjoy the remaining of my working years. I say go for it.

Rosy in Maryland in Maple Shade, New Jersey said: Sherry,

I'm 53 and I am starting hair school in two weeks. It's never too late and, yes, I have about another 12 or so years to work. Maybe more with the economy. I want to enjoy the remaining of my working years. I say go for it.

I was just job searching on-line........nothing out there but fast food places,& I'm tired of working in the Factory for the $$. I'm alittle scared because I always did what I had to do (for the $$/insurance etc.)not what I wanted or would enjoy. I think this lay-off is perfect timing....time for something for ME for a change! Enjoying the rest of my years sounds sooo good!

working at a stylist and making $8 an hour and I'm either salary or commission, is this correct I've been led to believe it is salary plus commission until my commission excedes my salary...can someone help me with this

yeah i want to know that too? is it just 8 bucks an hour plus tips? how hard is it to get hired at a place (fresh out of school) for commission?

also schooling is monday-friday 9-5... i have to work a part time job and pay a little bit of bills. what kind of jobs do people work while theyre in school full time??? most serving places want me to be there at 5, i would never make it on time.. what to do?

Joshua in Gig Harbor, Washington said: As a hairstylist you can choose how much you make. If you really apply yourself and become very good at your trade you can make lots of money. You can make $8 an hour or $800 an hour depending on how much you want to work it and spend mastering your trade. I am actually still a student and only halfway through beauty school but I have been working very hard and making lots of connections. As it stands right now I have a salon that wants me as soon as I graduate. They charge $100 for a haircut and I would make a 40% comission off of that and they charge between $150 - $200 for hair coloring. So I am looking at around $40 an hour when I graduate. There is nothing special about me, I am just someone that really wants it. If you are going to do it I would highly recommend using a Paul Mitchell School. They are awesome schools with great education and provide you with lots of opportunities.

I GO TO A PAUL MITCHELL SCHOOL(HAIR EXPRESSIONS) I BASICALLY HAVE A MONTH LEFT AND I FOUND SALONS ALL OVER MY AREA READY TO HIRE ME AND MOST OF THEM I FOUND OUT ABOUT BECAUSE OF MY SCHOOL....BUT ABOUT PAY U CAN START OFF AT 10$/HR + TIPS + PERCENTAGE WHICH IN THE SALON I PLAN TO WORK AT ITS 10$/HR + 35% SERVICES + TIPS AND THATS JUST ENTRY LEVEL... AND I ALSO ADVISE THAT YOU DO NOT START OFF DOING BOOTH RENTALS...

Obama passed some kind of aid while your going to school you can get paid every two weeks. You can get as much as 400.00 or more every two weeks for the hours you go to beautican school. I was tould by our Director their is so much aid available but the student has to ask for it that the school can not just offer it to them, it is a catch 22 if you do not know the question to ask, you just do not know it's available. Our Director and Financial Advisor have been to many meetings for the different aid that is availabe and the key to free money is knowing how it is available. I just hope all schools are informed, it really makes a big difference in someones life.