If you’d like to get an associate’s degree that will teach you how to start and run your own salon or spa business, or manage one for someone else, then you might want to think about getting a cosmetology business associate degree.

Why Get An Associate’s Degree in Cosmetology Business?

An associate’s degree in cosmetology business is for licensed cosmetologists who are looking to take their career to the next level.

If you don’t currently have a cosmetology license, then you might want to investigate a few schools to see if they require one. Most schools do, but there are a few that don’t.

Most cosmetology experts love what they do. But if you’re dreaming of doing more than styling hair in your cosmetology career, then this is a great way to enhance your career prospects and earning potential.

What You’ll Learn In A Cosmetology Business Degree Program

A cosmetology business associate degree is going to teach you how to manage and successfully run a salon. This means that instead of taking nothing but classes on hair, skin, and nails, you’re going to be taking a lot of business classes as well.

Some of the classes you might expect to see in your cosmetology business degree program include:

Careers With A Degree In Cosmetology

Once you’ve gotten your associate’s degree in cosmetology, several options are open to you.

You can easily work as a salon manager with this degree. Salon managers, on average, earn $35,000 per year starting out, according to Payscale.com. The longer you’re in the industry, and the type of salon you’re working for, will greatly impact your earnings. A top-notch salon catering to high-class clientele will pay more than this average.

You’ll also earn more or less depending on your part of the country. Salons in bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles will pay much more than a salon in a rural area. If you’d like to start your own salon and work as an owner/operator, then you can expect a starting salary around $45,000, according to 101 Hairstyles Magazine.

But again, everything depends on your experience, your talent, and your part of the country. USA Today did a profile of one hair dresser in Las Vegas who, working 3 ½ days per week, was pulling in $160,000 per year.

According to a recent survey by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), cosmetology is a field where there is zero unemployment. There is a significant shortage of talented workers, so this is definitely a great career to be in if you like job security. Whether you want to manage a salon, or own one yourself, the future is looking bright for this fun field.