Cosmetology schools in Maryland offer comprehensive career training programs for those who want to work as an esthetician, nail technician, hair stylist, or barber. Often called beauty schools or academies, Maryland schools in cosmetology provide a core curriculum and specialized courses in personal care services that can lead to successful careers across the state. Graduates work as self-employed professionals or take positions with barber shops, esthetician salons, hair styling boutiques, nail salons, hotels, spas, and resorts.
The amount of time it takes to complete your training depends on the school, whether you attend full- or part-time, and your specialization. Many cosmetology schools in Maryland offer night classes for working students. Schools typically have working classrooms where you train on real customers, learning your personal communication skills along with styling, cosmetics, cutting, nail art, electrolysis, wraps and waxing techniques.
The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists regulates licensing of all beauty professionals in the state. To earn a license as a cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician, you must be at least 17 years old and have completed high school or hold a G.E.D. You'll need to have proof of completion of formal training hours to be eligible as a:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a mean annual salary of $26,830 for all personal care workers in Maryland for 2009. Hairdressers and cosmetologists earned $30,000, or $14.42 an hour. The mean annual 2009 wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $26,110. Mean wages for skin care specialists were higher, at $31,600 for the year. Barbers earned $28,960, or $13.92 per hour.
Some 60,790 Maryland residents worked in the personal care professions in 2009. By completing formal training at cosmetology schools in Maryland, you could join them.
