States with the Highest Wages
Looking at the top 5 states where cosmetologists are paid the highest average wages as of May 2008, it’s easy to see that wages are grouped fairly close together except in the state of Hawaii. Hawaii pays an average hourly wage rate of $20 compared to $14.83 paid in Vermont. This is a $5.17 an hour difference or almost 35%. But exclude Hawaii and the spread between Washington State’s average hourly wage of $15.84 and Vermont’s rate at $14.83 drops to only $1.01 per hour or 7%. Washington, New Jersey and Massachusetts pay in a $15 to $16 hourly rate range.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects excellent employment opportunities between now and 2018 with an expected growth rate in available jobs of 20% or 127,000 positions. This trend is expected to hold true in most of the states.
Though the expected population growth in general is expected to create new opportunities, the increasing willingness of younger people to take advantage of a variety of cosmetology services is a major factor spurring job growth. Cosmetologists can offer a variety of services including hair cutting and treatments, pedicures, manicures, makeup application and skin care.
This has created many new ways to earn money. The more skills a cosmetologist develops and is able to offer to customers, the more likely top wages can be earned and especially when working in one of the top paying states. In many cases, experience and skills can overcome lower wage rates in a particular area of the country.
States with the Highest Employment Levels
Cosmetologists have many exciting employment opportunities as the population expands. According to the Department of Labor, conditions are ideal for the formation of many new jobs through 2018. The increase in baby boomers hoping to stay youthful looking has led to new career choices for cosmetologists. In addition, the population of younger male and females are accessing the many different services cosmetologists offer including hairstyling and skin care. Cosmetologists do much more than just cut hair and give perms today. They are licensed stylists who are experts in the use of many different industry products and methods.
As the graph shows, pay is affected by the state in which the cosmetologist is employed. Among the top 5 highest employment level states, New Jersey comes out on top with an average annual wage of $31,400 as of May 2008. This is 36.2% higher than the lowest paying state out of the top five which is Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s average annual wage for cosmetologist is $23,040 which is $8,360 lower than the wages paid in New Jersey.
Of the top five state for employment of cosmetologists, 3 are paying under $30,000 as of May 2008. But with the growth in jobs over the next 8 years, wages are expected to rise as demand for services increase. Cosmetologists who obtain certifications from recognized organizations and keep skills updated are more likely to earn the higher wages. Cosmetologists find their work to be extremely satisfying because they get to use their creativity while working with a variety of people.
