Data from the Tennessee Department of Labor shows that there were around 9,500 cosmetologists employed throughout the state in 2012 working as hairdressers, hairstylists, manicurists and skin care specialists. The field is expected to see growth in the next few years, with some 11,330 cosmetologists expected to be licensed in Tennessee by 2022. This increase represents a 19% total increase over ten years, resulting in an average of 410 job openings per year.
Hourly Wage and Annual Salary Scale for Cosmetologists in Tennessee
Average salaries and hourly wage statistics for cosmetologists in Tennessee at various levels of experience are as follows:
- Entry-level – $17,330/year
- $8.25/hour
- Mid-level – $23,705/year
- $11.40/hour
- Experienced – $32,486/year
- $15.60/hour
Tennessee has recently undergone a change in how cosmetologists are licensed. As of July 2014, The Board of Cosmetology and the Board of Barber Examiners merged into the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Cosmetologists in Tennessee must now apply for licensure through an online application to the new board.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has constructed a more detailed table of average regional salaries and hourly wages in Tennessee (2013):
In addition to licensing cosmetologists and barbers, the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners is responsible for licensing manicurists and pedicurists throughout the state. The regional wage and salary breakdown for manicurists and pedicurists can be found on the following table, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013):