Cosmetology instructors teach students provide manicures and pedicures.
The professionals who work in beauty salons and barber shops attend cosmetology or beauty school to learn techniques for everything from trimming and coloring hair to expertly polishing nails. Cosmetology instructors are responsible for providing hair stylists, barbers, spa workers and nail technicians the skills they need to enhance their clients' appearance. The average salary for cosmetology instructors is $53,000, according to a June 2011 Indeed report.
Function
The primary job of cosmetology instructors is to prepare students for their state board of cosmetology licensing examinations. Cosmetology instructors teach students a wide range of skills, including properly shampoo, condition, cut, highlight and straighten hair. They instruct students on applying makeup; shaping, cleaning and painting nails; performing facials and massages; and removing hair using wax and other techniques. As educators, cosmetology instructors also build lesson plans, administer exams and grade class assignments.
Training and Certification
To become cosmetology instructors, candidates must have cosmetology licenses and at least two years of work experience. Training is provided through a certification program, which can be taken at a community college or vocational school. In addition to lesson planning, public speaking and classroom safety, candidates learn about laboratory and clinical supervision, testing and grading procedures, teaching aides and classroom management. Earning instructor certification positions cosmetologists competitively in the job market for cosmetology jobs with high earnings potential. Moreover, earning cosmetology instructor certification allows professionals to become part- or full-time educators at colleges, state-licensed schools and educational institutes.
Geography
A June 2011 SalaryExpert report showed that average annual wages for beauty school instructors in the United States fluctuated across metropolitan cities. Beauty school instructors working in Atlanta averaged $50,289, while instructors in Dallas averaged $53,750 per year. In Charlotte, beauty school instructors earned an average salary of $50,063. Beauty school instructors also averaged $68,898 in Houston, $54,709 in Chicago and $70,021 in Los Angeles. Workers in New York City and Phoenix averaged the highest salaries, earning $78,503 and $70,389, respectively. Orlando beauty school instructors average the lowest annual wage, making $47,006 per year.
Potential
Cosmetologist instructors can increase their salary potential by advancing to positions such as sales representatives or consultants for beauty and fashion companies. Other possible career paths include salon or barber shop ownership, or examiner positions with a state board of cosmetology. The personal appearance sector is projected to grow 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is significantly faster than overall U.S. job growth. Cosmetology instructors are well-positioned to take advantage of this industry growth and obtain high-paying positions due to their teaching experience.
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