Is cosmetology a good career?

An accredited cosmetology program costs anywhere from $5000 to $15,000. This is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of college degrees.

Cosmetology programs generally consist of up to two years of schooling to complete. This means you can quickly enter the job market, rather than obtaining a four-year bachelor's degree, or a more advanced degree.

Here are some common in-demand jobs in cosmetology, and their average wages:

• Cosmetologist

  A cosmetologist is a professional that covers a wider range of beauty care. Cosmetologists focus on the enhancement of beauty for a client's skin, nails, and hair.

  They are experts in cosmetic procedures, such as make-up application, facial treatments, hair styling, pedicures, and manicures. A cosmetologist might work independently for a retail company or beauty service.

  Most cosmetologists attend cosmetology school to gain the necessary skills, experience, and certifications to practice.

  The average wage of a cosmetologist in the United States is $23.73 per hour.

• Makeup artist

  Makeup artists work in a wide variety of settings, such as the retail industry and entertainment industry. Makeup artists may work as freelancers or as part of a company, such as those in the retail setting.

  Many makeup artists work in the entertainment industry providing their services to actors and actresses on movie sets and theater productions. Some also specialize in events, like makeup for a bride and their bridesmaids at a wedding.

  Makeup artists also work in the news industry where they apply make-up to news hosts before broadcasts. Many also work directly for beauty brands in their stores.

  Most makeup artists receive some form of formal training, however, this is not a strict requirement. A makeup artist must have a strong makeup portfolio exhibiting past projects they've worked on or clients they have had. These portfolios always have photos and sometimes videos.

  The average wage of a makeup artist in the United States is $31.15 per hour.

• Esthetician

  An esthetician is a professional who provides skin treatments to clients and sometimes this involves makeup application.

  Estheticians are professional skin care providers, but they are not doctors or nurses. They provide services aimed to improve the external appearance of a patient's skin. They also cannot perform medical-grade skin treatments. Estheticians perform minor skin procedures, such as facials and extractions.

  To get a career in this field you must attend esthetician school. Here students learn both theoretical and practical applications for skin care in esthetician school.

  The average wage of an esthetician in the United States is $27.77 per hour.