11 Best High-Paying Jobs in The Beauty Industry

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Finding jobs in the beauty industry might seem like a genuinely impossible task! Looking up “beauty-related jobs near me” on a Google search doesn’t always pan out well.

There is good news, however. There are plenty of jobs in the beauty industry that pay well.

The beauty industry has been increasingly recognized, so it has always been a lucrative career choice. It is possible to work one of the high-paying jobs in the beauty industry if you know what you’re doing. Whether you work as a freelance writer or a beauty advisor, the beauty industry provides an overall look at the importance of privacy policy and customer service. With new opportunities arising in the beauty field every day, taking advantage of this opportunity can be the perfect career for those with a real passion for beauty. 

Of course, it’s essential to understand that while there are well-paid jobs in the beauty industry, you can’t focus solely on your paycheck. It is always better to work hard and pour your heart and soul into a career you love than to work purely for money.

Keep reading to learn more about eleven high-paying jobs in the beauty industry to find the right career for you!

1. Hairdresser/Hair Stylist

Hairdresser Salary and Hair Stylist salary range: $25,000 – $50,000

Being a hairdresser isn’t stereotypically seen as a career that pays the big bucks. However, depending on your skill set, your clients, and your level of dedication, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can splash some cash on the finer things in life.

Because of the ever-increasing influence of the beauty industry (including cosmetic products), having your hair done has become a societal expectation. People want to look their best for social and business reasons and are prepared to pay good money for quality service.

While it is possible to do your hair, unless you’re a professional yourself, visiting a professional hair salon can make all the difference.

Being a hairdresser and beauty professional has substantial psychological benefits and has been deemed one of the happiest career paths.

How to become one:

Seek out salons that offer trainee positions. While this is one of the quickest ways to learn, you’re immediately thrown into the deep end. You’ll have to adopt a hands-on approach and listen carefully to the advice of your head hairdresser to learn from them.

There is also a multitude of classes you can take. For example, you can register at your local cosmetology school or even take online courses on a site like Udemy.

Taking online courses in a field like this can lay a foundation you can build when you enroll in a program.

2. Cosmetic Surgeon

Cosmetic Surgeon salary range: $150,000 – $800,000+

It’s no secret that being a cosmetic surgeon is one of the highest-paid jobs in the world. As of 2021, Allied Physicians Salary Survey reported that cosmetic surgeons could earn $820,000 annually, depending on their specialty.

Tijion Esho claims that transitioning from a surgeon to a cosmetic surgeon was the best decision he’d ever made. Why?

Because Esho claims that having the power to change someone’s appearance is an “amazing feeling” and specifically referenced a case in which he helped a patient who suffered a broken nose from domestic abuse.

Ultimately, cosmetic surgery is a career path that offers a generous salary and gives you a chance to improve people’s lives.

How to become one:

As you might expect, the route to becoming a respected cosmetic surgeon is not easy.

You first have to attend medical school, then complete a residency at a hospital, and undertake personal research into a field (usually two years). Then you’ll want to pursue a fellowship in plastic surgery and a specialized connection, depending on what area of the body you’re focusing on.

3. Beauty Blogger or Vlogger

Beauty Blogger salary range: $0 – $1,000,000+

It’s common knowledge that strong YouTube personalities can earn as much as renowned cosmetic surgeons – if not more. As a result, the blogger and vlogger industry is currently one of the fastest-growing and well-paid career paths globally.

Not needing any qualifications or training makes it an attractive choice for people who love fashion and makeup. In this career, you get paid for trying beauty brands and products while teaching your best tips on beauty care and skin care.

Zoella, Tanya Burr, and Bethany Mota are some of the most notable examples. Watch one of Tanya’s videos below for an example of beauty vlogging.

How to become one:

Here’s the tricky bit; unlike the rest of the list, no degree will guarantee you will become a popular social media personality. However, there are courses on Udemy you can invest in to learn more about YouTube, social media, and blogging.

You can also take the time to read our many articles about blogging by clicking here. Get expert advice from Miss Millennia Magazine’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Jasmine, who has nine years of blogging experience!

Ultimately, though, it’s down to you. You must be able to market, advertise, and stand out from the crowd.

Copying other successful YouTubers might allow you to gain a fraction of their target audience; however, you won’t get far unless you create your path.

So, think unique and get creative! There are endless opportunities in the blogging and vlogging world, so get going!

4. Private Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic Dentist salary range: $75,000 – $250,000

Similar to cosmetic dentistry, dentists and orthodontists and now reaping the benefits of a saturated market, with teeth whitening, braces, and Invisalign headlining the most popular and expensive treatments.

Private dentists can easily earn over $196,000 depending on their specialty and the types of treatment they’re offering.

How to become one: 

Dentists and orthodontists undergo years of training. To qualify as a dentist or orthodontist, you must complete a dental course (usually lasting five years), which will lead to a bachelor’s degree.

If you want to enjoy and thrive in this career, you must have perfect bedside manners and a genuine concern for the well-being of your patients.

Note that high-paying jobs such as this one may require a drug test. So if you like to party hard, you may want to complete a detox program first.

5. Beautician or Cosmetologist

Cosmetology Salary range: $25,000 – $80,000

This is another job in the beauty industry facing an economic boom. Beauticians—also known as nail technicians or cosmetologists works hairstyling but can cover other areas, such as nails and makeup, for different events such as photoshoots and fashion shows.

Cosmetologists earning on the higher end of the salary can expect to earn an average wage higher depending on where they live. For example, a cosmetologist’s salary in California would be much higher than a cosmetic job in Idaho.

Cosmetology focuses more on unique cosmetics, skincare, and makeup. As a job firmly positioned in the beauty industry, there will always be a massive demand for such services.

Both positions have the potential to make substantial amounts of money, considering the number of you’ll women spend to pamper themselves regularly, not to mention special services for weddings and other occasions.

How to become one:

Successful beauticians have a friendliness and positive attitude. Of course, you’ll also need training in beauty therapy. Usually, a Level 2 or 3 qualification is all that is required. A beauty therapy program usually does not require prior schooling, but this varies by college.

6. Modeling

Model salary range: $10,000 – $100,000+

Modeling is a job that can be both stressful and rewarding. Instagram is now a viral platform for amateur models to boost their profile audience reach for free. Many people, such as Bethany Moore and Billy Huxley, have followed this route and seen success.

While the perks that come with modeling can be fantastic, it’s important to remember that it’s more than just posing for a shot.

There’s a lot of waiting around, wearing uncomfortable clothes in today’s season, and sometimes they don’t even get paid for shots!

How to become one: 

You should have incredibly thick skin and unwavering confidence as a model. There are many different avenues to go down in today’s modeling world. If it’s through Instagram, then it’s about building and promoting your profile independently (outreaching out to other models and generally link-building).

If you want to adopt a more traditional modeling route, you should you’ve built a portfolio and send out shots to potential photographers.

Perseverance and believing in yourself are the two critical components for a successful career as a model, so go out there and show the world what you’ve got!

7. Esthetician

Esthetician Salary range: $38,485- $90,142 per year

If you are more interested in skincare, a career as an esthetician may be a good choice. An esthetician is considered to be a skincare professional. They have various skills, including laser hair removal, facials, permanent makeup, body wraps, and more.

It is enough to know that there are plenty of esthetician jobs. In addition, you can find various skin care jobs in this field as they can specialize in any of the former treatments mentioned above.

How to become one:

You will need to be certified to become an esthetician. It can take up to six months to become certified if full-time and nine to 12 months if part-time, depending on state requirements. And then the questions of “How much do estheticians make” and “What is a medical esthetician’s salary.”

8. Image Consultant/ Stylist

Image Consultant and Stylist Salary range: $46,230 -$83,015

While I put these two careers in the same category, they are not the same role. 

A stylist works with people to help them wear something trendy and stylish, while an image consultant focuses on image and presentation. They can sometimes work together with clients or entirely on their own.

How to become one:

The paths are a bit different for each role. When becoming an image consultant, you want to get the proper training. There are various certifications you can go after to get tYou’llining you need.

9. Tattoo Artist

Tattoo Artist Salary range: $35,109 -$64,803

Tattoos are something that has been around for a long time and only seem like they are only going to grow in popularity. With this much promise, becoming a tattoo artist is an excellent career choice.

How to become one:

You need a license to become a tattoo artist, which varies from state to state. After that, you’ll want to take some art lessons to learn how to draw and then start looking for apprenticeship positions. Getting a college degree in Art could help with getting more job opportunities. But it is not required.

10. Beauty Therapist

Beauty Therapist Salary range: $17,500-$105,500

Like the esthetician role, a beauty therapist can go in several different directions with their skills. A Beauty therapist does beauty treatments on clients’ hands, feet, and faces. They do massages, manicures and pedicures, hair removal, and spray tans. And they specialize in the very best beauty products.

How to become one:

To become a beauty therapist, complete an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Beauty Therapy. So college is required for this role. 

11. Makeup Artist

Makeup Artist Salary range: $16,500-$99,000

A makeup artist is responsible for applying makeup to the faces of their clients. In addition, makeup Artist’s jobs are often needed for weddings, movies, and TV shows. So there are various paths you can take in your role.

How to become one:

To become one, you will need to either get formal training at a beauty school or practice yourself to get better than getting some clients! 

Finding the right career in the beauty industry can initially be daunting and challenging. No one is expected to achieve their dream job on the first try, but with perseverance, dedication, and a genuine desire to succeed, you’re sure to go far!

Final Thoughts

The beauty industry offers many career options for individuals with artistic talent, a passion for beauty, and a desire to help others feel and look their best. Whether you want to become a nail technician, hair stylist, skincare specialist, or makeup artist, many opportunities are available in the cosmetology and fashion industries. From working in beauty salons, spas or as a brand ambassador for certain beauty products to owning your own business and managing staff members, the beauty industry provides a unique opportunity to pursue your dream career.

Whether you are interested in working on film sets, photo shoots, or in department stores, there are various reasons why the beauty industry is a great way to advance your career to the next level. Beauty professionals have the chance to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and use of certain products, as well as provide treatments such as neck massages and full-body treatments. In addition, with a focus on physical health and skin care needs, beauty jobs offer a unique and exciting career that can be pursued in various settings.

Hopefully, at least a few of these eleven high-paying jobs in the beauty industry are interesting! Picking your career path is never easy, but now you know some of your options if this is the industry for you. 

When it comes time for you to switch your career, head to ZipRecruiter to see what positions are available in your area in the beauty business. You can narrow your search by industry, location, and salary range to maximize how much you earn. So get started finding jobs in the beauty industry by searching on ZipRecruiter now!

Good luck!