Salon Management

Salon Manager Overview

For those that are interested in the exciting field of beauty and appearance, but have a flair for fashion and an ability to lead others, salon management may be the perfect career to delve into. A salon manager needs a strong background in business and personnel management, as well as an eye for new trends and fashions to make his or her establishment the best and the most up-to-date. The salon manager is also responsible for hiring staff, resolving disputes between employees, and taking care of the day-to-day operations of the salon, from paying the bills to ordering necessary supplies and advertising space. Salon managers do not need to be cosmetologists or hair professionals, but a background in the field can give depth to their management abilities.

If you have the savvy to run a business but want the freedom, flexibility, and dynamic change of a job in the fashion and personal appearance industry, a career in salon management might be right for you.

Salon Management Education & Training

Most salon managers come from a haircare background, whether as a cosmetologist, hair colorist, or barber. Others learn the ropes by overseeing a small group of specialists, such as manicurists or pedicurists, and honing their leadership and management skills. Most salon managers hold some sort of post-secondary degree such as an associate's degree or a bachelor’s degree. However, it can be extremely helpful to have a master's degree in business management or a related subject. Not only will this help you when starting out, but it will give you the skills you need to run a successful business. Undergraduate classes in accounting, finance, sales, and marketing can all be helpful to a salon manager.

One important facet of a salon manager's job is to make sure that all of his or her employee's have valid licenses from the state. To make sure that licenses are current, it is important for salon managers to stay up-to-date on any new licensure regulations that might affect the overall quality and legitimacy of their salon.

Since salon managers work in an industry that is dominated by the most modern trends and fashions, many salon managers benefit from self-directed research or continuing higher education in fashion design, pop culture, and clothing trends.

Salon Management Career & Salary Outlook

Employment for personal appearance professionals, including salon managers, is projected to grow around 14 percent in the next eight years. Personal appearance services have become a far more accepted part of American culture in the past decade, and this has opened up the industry to unprecedented growth as men begin to use salons more frequently for services like manicures and pedicures.

Those hoping to manage high end salons need to be prepared for intense competition,for a few management spots where former managers have transferred to other occupations or retired.

Compensation varies widely for salon managers, depending on the size and range of services that their salon provides. Those who work for a national chain or franchise typically make the least with a median income of $29,813 every year. Self-employed salon managers, by far the largest portion of the industry, make a median of $39,322. The best paid salon managers work for schools and school districts, where they earn a median of $60,000.

The amount of money a salon manager can make also varies from region to region. The most lucrative places to manage a salon are Los Angeles and New York City, while the worst include Portland and Orlando.

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