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People who are considering trying to get involved in cosmetology, usually think that it is fun and exciting vocation, where you work with people of different interests, desires, and characteristics while enjoying to put your creativity into hair or nail style.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development considers this career as a stable and increasing number of job openings for hairstylists, hairdressers, and cosmetologists in the state make it even more attractive to young generations.
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Job Description
Among the cosmetologist can be barbers, hairdressers, and nail technicians, electrologists, and estheticians.
They are supposed to inspect hair, face, and nails and recommend treatment, discuss hair or nail-style with the client and find the best solution, wash, color, and condition hair as well as style it, and clean and sanitize all tools and work areas after the finishing of the treatment.
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Their job is to enhance clients’ appearance, but those who possess their premises have to hire and fire the workers, keep business and inventory records, order supplies and schedule appointments.
They usually work full time, in shifts and even at weekends and evenings.
They are used to working long hours as well.
Cosmetology Programs in Indiana
The State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners is determined to take care of all the candidates and their qualifications to get a cosmetology license.
What they need to do first is to finish the accredited schools with at least 1500 hours of education.
The beauty schools will offer you the hands-on experience and knowledge related to
- Hair Coloring
- Classifications of Hair Color
- Trend Techniques
- Hairstyling
- Sanitation
- Indiana State Laws and Rules
- Manicuring
- Pedicuring
- Management
The number of hours required differs from specialty to specialty and it is:
- Cosmetologist – 1500 hours
- Barber – 1500 hours
- Electrologist – 300 hours, plus 1500 hours of beauty courses. 700 hours of esthetics course plus a license
- Esthetician- 700 hours
- Manicurist – 450 hours
- Shampooer- 300 hours
The time limit for the license application is three years after graduation.
These courses will prepare you to advance as a cosmetologist and satisfy the needs and desires of your future customers.
The quality education is offered in:
- Harrold Beauty Academy – Terre Haute.
- Ideal Beauty Academy – Jeffersonville.
- Kaye’s Beauty College – Castelton.
- PJ’s College of Cosmetology – Indianapolis.
- Ravenscroft Beauty College-Fort Wayne
Cosmetology Exams in Indiana
The graduation is followed by the exam, where you will need to show what you have learned through the classes.
The Indiana State Board of Cosmetology requires the taking and passing of the written examination is proctored by the Pearson VUE testing agency.
You are offered the handbook which should be read before you take the exam which takes about 135 minutes and you are supposed to answer 110 questions on:
- Safety
- Sanitation and Disinfection
- Structure of Hair
- Hair Type
- Shampoo and Scalp Analysis
- Styling
- Haircutting
- Hair Coloring and Bleaching
- Permanent Waving
- Chemical Straightening and Relaxing
- Nails
The testing centers in Indiana are in:
- Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Indianapolis
- Terre Haute
- Chicago
- Landing
- Merrillville
You can make exam reservations online or by phone and you should pay a $53 exam fee.
The examination proves that you possess the ability to perform duties expected from a cosmetologist and you should get a score of 75% or higher.
License
The license can be gained through examination or reciprocity.
When you apply for it for the first time, you must be at least 18 years old, have completed 10th grade, and submit the licensure application, $40.00 application fee, 2×3 current photo, official cosmetology school diploma, and official written exam scores.
For the license application based on reciprocity, the jurisdiction which issued the previous license must have had similar or higher education and examination standards.
If the requirements were lower, then you will have to substitute the necessary hours of education.
The documentation that should be submitted is the same as for the examination application, except that you need to add a certification or verification of your licensure in a separate state or jurisdiction.
The documentation should be sent to the Board at the address:
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Keeping Your License Current in Indiana
Furthermore, you will need to renew your license by filling out the renewal form and submitting a $40 fee.
Cosmetologists know that they are not obliged to finish any further education once the license is achieved, but they want to do it.
They are eager to learn something new related to beauty treatments as the field is rapidly developing and techniques are improving.
What they want is to learn how to provide more services, which will, in turn, make their clients more satisfied and keep them coming back.
Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in Indiana
If you have enough funding to start your salon and get all the necessary equipment, then you do not have to worry about the job prospects.
But still, some people cannot afford that, and they will look for a job in some of the salons that belong to other licensed cosmetologists.
Such places in Indiana are numerous and the job opportunities can be found in:
- G Michael Salon – Indianapolis- Noblesville
- Deweese Design Salon – Indianapolis
- Stylist 317 – Indianapolis
- Kindred | a beauty lounge – Fishers
- Domu – Chatham Arch Indianapolis
- GENEVA Hair Studio – Irvington
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Salon – Fishers
Another way of getting information about employment and further education can be achieved by joining the Indiana Cosmetology and Barbering Association.
Having the job leads to the earning of the salary and it can be said that cosmetologist salaries are quite decent.
How much money they will earn annually depends on the amount of work, quality of the work and the prominence of the salon or beauty centers.
The more popular and well-known salons have more daily job, and richer clientele, thus earning more.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provides salary information for cosmetologist salaries in Indiana and it is estimated to range from $ 23 653 in Vincennes to $ 25 991 in Gary and Hammond.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anderson,IN | $24,164 |
| Bloomington,IN | $24,038 |
| Carmel,IN | $25,341 |
| Elkhart,IN | $24,644 |
| Evansville,IN | $24,561 |
| Fishers,IN | $24,112 |
| Fort Wayne,IN | $24,292 |
| Gary,IN | $25,991 |
| Greenwood,IN | $25,362 |
| Hammond,IN | $25,991 |
| Indianapolis,IN | $25,373 |
| Lafayette,IN | $25,216 |
| Mishawaka,IN | $24,295 |
| Muncie,IN | $24,070 |
| South Bend,IN | $24,295 |
| Terre Haute,IN | $23,958 |
| Vincennes,IN | $23,653 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 130 | $31,370 | $15.08 | $47,590 | $20,850 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 110 | $32,840 | $15.79 | $49,100 | $20,400 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 310 | $29,600 | $14.23 | $45,880 | $18,550 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 500 | $32,590 | $15.67 | $49,920 | $18,920 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 2,520 | $32,020 | $15.39 | $49,690 | $22,010 |
| Kokomo, IN | 90 | $33,990 | $16.34 | $53,880 | $20,970 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 260 | $31,910 | $15.34 | $48,510 | $21,690 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 100 | $29,940 | $14.39 | $46,450 | $20,820 |
| Muncie, IN | 80 | $29,130 | $14 | $38,580 | $16,290 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 300 | $31,460 | $15.13 | $47,240 | $19,080 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 100 | $28,270 | $13.59 | $45,270 | $18,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cosmetologist
Cosmetology by State