9781422270639

training program that combines supervised practical experience and classroom instruction). This training method—unlike college—is free, and you will earn a salary while you learn. A wide range of work environments are available in beauty and fashion. Models, coordinators, and photographers work indoors and outdoors. Cosmetology workers are employed in salons, or offer their services from home-based businesses. Makeup artists who are employed in the film industry work on movie sets in exotic locales or perhaps simply the backlot of a studio in Los Angeles. Marketing, advertising, and business professionals work in offices and other settings. When it comes to earnings, fashion and fine art professionals earn much higher salaries than most workers in the beauty sector. For example, workers in art and design earn a median annual wage of $48,220, according to the US Department of Labor (DOL). This is higher than the median annual wage ($45,760) in all occupations. And median earnings for fashion designers ($77,450) and illustrators ($60,820) exceed the median. Top models can earn more than $1 million a year. On the other hand, workers in personal care and service occupations earn a median annual wage of only $29,450—which is much lower than the median for all workers. Earnings can be higher for hairstylists and other personal-care workers who become well known for their creativity and/or launch their own businesses. The employment outlook for beauty and fashion professionals varies by career, but it seems that job opportunities in the beauty industry will be more numerous than in the fashion industry. Employment for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2021 to 2031, according to the DOL. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. During this same time period, job opportunities for manicurists and pedicurists are projected to grow 22 percent, and employment for skincare specialists

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Is a Beauty or Fashion Career for You?