Cosmetology Instructor/ Educator Defined

If you’re like most people, you had at least one special teacher that had an impact on your life. You remember…the one that took a little extra time with you, the one that took a special interest in your success, the one that made a difference. As a cosmetology instructor, not only will you educate cosmetology students in various fields of study including hairstyling, nail technology, esthetic services, skin care and business strategies, you’ll also have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of future cosmetologists and in the cosmetology industry as a whole.

What it Takes
An instructor’s license is required to teach cosmetology. Every state has different requirements, but in all cases you must be a licensed cosmetologist before you can become an instructor. Beyond state requirements, most cosmetology schools prefer that instructors have anywhere from 2-5 years experience as a licensed cosmetologist in a salon environment, and some also require previous management experience as well. Successful cosmetology instructors also possess the following traits:

• High level of professionalism
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong presentation/ public speaking skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Management skills/ experience
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Patience!
• Great intuition

What You’ll Make
On average, the starting salary for cosmetology instructors ranges from $32,000 to $39,000 per year, depending on where you work. As with any career, your income will increase as you gain experience and build or develop new and stronger skills.

Working World
In addition to teaching, a cosmetology instructor provides leadership and excellent customer service, evaluates student progress, and upholds the policies of the school. Because of the many interactions with students, clients and administrative staff, each day is different than the one before. As a cosmetology instructor, an average workday for you might start in the classroom teaching chemistry, theory or business strategies to a diverse group of cosmetology students. You will have reviewed the lesson plan the night before or earlier that morning so that you could come up with a way to make the lesson fun, challenging and interesting. After you’ve spent some time in the classroom, you may spend some time on the student salon floor supervising students as they perform services on clients. You’ll participate in client consultations, provide guidance on technique or product usage, check the students’ work, and ensure that every client leaves satisfied with the services they received.

Although you may teach the same topic or lesson plan many times in your career, you’ll never teach it the same way twice. As each new group of students begins, you’ll learn their personalities, find out what their learning styles are and adjust your teaching style to most effectively reach them.

Your work doesn’t stop inside the classroom though! As an educator, you are expected to be a role model to all of your students not just for technical cosmetology skills, but for overall professionalism as well. You’ll need to put your best foot forward in all interactions and demonstrate excellent service, professional courtesy and business sense.

Unlike traditional teaching jobs, cosmetology educators have a much more diverse group of students from all walks of life ranging in age from 18 to 50+. Some students may be fresh out of high school while others may be starting a new career mid-life or returning to work after raising a family. Some of your students may be older than you are! Not only that, but your students are also the school’s most important customers. The best cosmetology instructors find a way to balance their teaching responsibilities with the utmost professionalism and respect for their students.

Cosmetology educators are a unique breed. Part teacher, part manager, part counselor, part cosmetologist, they get to do a little bit of everything! And the rewards are well worth it. Most cosmetology instructors will tell you that they feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment when their students succeed. By providing a well-rounded and thorough education, not only will you make a difference in the lives of your students but also in the lives of salon owners, salon managers, and the student’s future clients. Everybody wins!