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Working as an Esthetician/ Cosmetologist/ Make-up Artist

Industry Overview

This is an entrepreneurial business. You secure your job by building your clientele. Happy clients will follow you if you change salons, and having an established client list makes you more valuable to employers.

Estheticians trained in skin care, body treatments, massage, and nail art are more in demand than people trained only in manicures and pedicures.

As job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels over the 2019-2028 period, the balance between labour supply and demand seen in recent years is expected to continue over the projection period.

Sources: Career Cruising (profiles of Esthetician and Cosmetologist), Job Bank Canada, Job Prospects for Esthetician

Job Outlook in BC

Estheticians, Cosmetologists and Makeup Artists

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forecasted average employment growth rate; job openings; composition of job openings for 2019 to 2029

Chart from WorkBC

WorkBC provides employment outlook within BC regions for 2019-2029, including these two regions:

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Mainland / Southwest and Vancouver Island / Coast: employment in 2019, average annual employment growth 2019 to 2029; expected number of job openings 2019 to 2020

You can learn more about working as an esthetician, cosmetologist and make-up artist in BC from:

Useful Website Description

profiles for Esthetician and Cosmetologist

Types of Employers

Estheticians and cosmetologists work in a variety of settings:

  • beauty salons and spas
  • electrolysis studios
  • cosmetic departments of retail stores such as pharmacies and department stores
  • beauty salons/spas in hotels, resorts and on cruise ships
  • beauty product companies
  • sales representatives for beauty product companies

Make-up artists work for:

  • television and film production companies
  • theatre and dance companies
  • modelling agencies
  • photographers
  • retail outlets
  • bridal parties and other special events

You may also be self-employed.

Salary

In BC, the median salary is $31,284. Your salary depends on:

  • the size and reputation of the salon or spa
  • the size of your established clientele
  • the type of work being done
  • the number of hours you work
  • if you are working on a commission compensation basis

Tips received from your clients may be a significant part of your earnings.

If you run your own business, you can earn a higher salary.

Job Bank Canada provides hourly wages for estheticians and other related occupations in BC regions:

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low, median, and high hourly wages in BC regions

Chart from Job Bank Canada
Sources: Career Cruising & WorkBC

Working Hours

You may be expected to work a variety of hours, including daytime, evenings and weekends. Part-time work is very common, especially at the beginning of your career. Some people also work 7 to 8 hours a day, and a minimum of 35 to 40 hours a week.