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Many young people are interested in beauty services that include nail care, hair cutting and styling, facials and makeup, and their dream is to start working in a beauty salon and use their creativity to make people look more attractive.
As many of them like working on their own, great thing is that they can open their salon, and that attracts them even more.
The possibility of choosing whether they will work as a hairstylist, nail technicians, wedding stylist or makeup artist makes this profession even more appealing and rewarding.
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Job Description
Cosmetologists frequently find jobs in beauty salons and spas, where space is well-lighted and the atmosphere is positive.
Popular Programs
In smaller salons, a cosmetologist may be asked to do various activities, from shampooing and manicuring to answering the telephone and cleaning the work setting.
On the other hand, in larger shops, the duties might be divided, and each worker might be asked to specialize in one area.
All in all, their main duty is to keep the equipment and premises clean, to maintain a good relationship with customers and to provide them with the best possible treatment.
Cosmetology Programs in Michigan
The regulation related to cosmetology license achievements are done by The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Cosmetology and the importance of education is constantly emphasized because working with chemicals can cause damage to the client’s hair or skin.
The state has education and training requirements that can be gained through school education programs or by being an apprentice.
First, you need to be 17 years old and have finished a ninth-grade education.
Then, you can enroll in one of the cosmetology programs and complete 1500 hours of study.
It is important to select the program which is licensed and this kind of school can be found in Cadillac, Brighton, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Troy, Springfield, Livonia, and Detroit.
Other professions such as electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, and natural hair culturists are required to pass 400 hours of education.
Part of the education is done in the classroom, while the other part is spent working on clients.
The second option of getting the necessary education for cosmetology license is to serve as an apprentice for at least two years.
Your licensed cosmetologist needs to have three years of experience, and you will need to complete the Apprenticeship Training Program application.
Besides the training, your mentor needs to compose, test and grade you on practical and theory exams.
The apprenticeship requires 1920 hours of training.
The most prominent licensed cosmetology schools in Michigan are:
- Brighton Institute of Cosmetology – Brighton.
- David Pressley School of Cosmetology – Royal Oak & Taylor.
- Dorsey School of Beauty – Taylor, Madison Heights, Roseville, & Lansing.
- L’esprit Academy – Royal Oak & Livonia.
- Marketti Academy of Cosmetology – Waterford.
Cosmetology Exams in Michigan
To receive your cosmetology license in Michigan, not only education is required, but the taking and passing of the cosmetology exams administered by PSI Exams Online.
What you have to do is to submit a licensing application online through MyLicense, Michigan’s online licensing portal and pay the fees.
You might also be asked to provide additional documentation which should be sent to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs,
Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division, Cosmetology,
P.O. Box 30244,
Lansing, MI 48909.
Once you apply online to take the exam, you will be eligible to sit for the practical and theoretical part of it.
You will have to pay a $161 fee for both parts, but if you apply only for one portion, the fee is $91.
The Michigan Cosmetology Practical Exam lasts three hours and 10 minutes and it can be done in Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Marquette
You are asked to bring your mannequin head, hand, and kit for the exam.
What you will be tested on this exam is:
- Safety criteria
- Manicure service
- Facial service
- Chemical services
- Clean up and shampoo
- Permanent waving service
- Haircutting service
- Blow drying and thermal curling service
- End of exam disinfection
If you score 75 percent or better, that means that you have passed this part of the examination.
If your score is lower, you will have to take it again.
The theoretical exam takes 120 minutes, and it can be done on a computer in Holt, Grand Rapids, Southfield, Marquette, and Gaylord.
You will be tested on the subjects you had during your education:
- Infection control and client protection
- Hair and scalp, skin, nails
- Shampoos and rinses,
- Facials,
- Hair removal,
- Manicures
- State laws and regulations
The score must be higher than 70 percent and immediately after the test, you will be given a score report.
If both exams are successfully passed, you will receive your license at the testing center on the day of the theory exam.
Keeping Your License Current in Michigan
Once you become a licensed cosmetologist in Michigan, you will have to renew your license every two years, via the MyLicense portal.
The necessary payment is the renewal fee of $25.
The renewal notice will be sent to you 60 days before your license expires.
Further cosmetology education is not necessary to renew your cosmetology license in Michigan.
Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary in Michigan
The jobs for cosmetologists in Michigan are flourishing and certified cosmetologists will experience a bright future when the job opportunities are in question.
If you are already a licensed one, you can search for the job that suits you in some of the state’s larger salons:
- Patrone’s Day Spa & Salon – Brooklyn
- Flip – Farmdale
- Trillium, A Complete Salon & Day Spa – Petoskey
- Antonio Salon and Spa – Birmingham
- Elle Salon – Michigan City
- Studio 9 Salon – Sterling Heights
- Curl Up and Dye – Detroit
Cosmetologists receive money charged for their services, but if the job is done well, they are frequently given tips as well.
How much they will earn depends on where they work, how developed their skills are and the tipping habits as well as the wealth of their customers.
In Michigan, salary ranges from $ 24 218 in Saginaw up to $ 27 391 in Ann Arbor.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ann Arbor,MI | $27,391 |
| Battle Creek,MI | $25,861 |
| Benton Harbor,MI | $24,921 |
| Canton,MI | $27,349 |
| Dearborn,MI | $26,737 |
| Dearborn Heights,MI | $26,724 |
| Detroit,MI | $26,737 |
| Farmington,MI | $26,626 |
| Flint,MI | $24,136 |
| Grand Rapids,MI | $25,461 |
| Kalamazoo,MI | $25,398 |
| Lansing,MI | $25,550 |
| Livonia,MI | $26,654 |
| Muskegon,MI | $24,305 |
| Novi,MI | $27,266 |
| Pontiac,MI | $26,780 |
| Royal Oak,MI | $26,709 |
| Saginaw,MI | $24,218 |
| Southfield,MI | $26,682 |
| Sterling Heights,MI | $26,654 |
| Taylor,MI | $26,696 |
| Troy,MI | $26,640 |
| Warren,MI | $26,737 |
| Waterford,MI | $26,806 |
| West Bloomfield,MI | $26,846 |
| Westland,MI | $26,960 |
| Wyoming,MI | $25,461 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 280 | $41,330 | $19.87 | $58,050 | $23,330 |
| Bay City, MI | 50 | $37,840 | $18.19 | $46,040 | $22,760 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 4,650 | $45,740 | $21.99 | $64,430 | $23,460 |
| Flint, MI | 220 | $34,540 | $16.61 | $54,680 | $21,440 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 1,270 | $38,370 | $18.45 | $55,540 | $22,340 |
| Jackson, MI | 80 | $38,070 | $18.3 | $55,420 | $22,190 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 190 | $41,440 | $19.93 | $56,940 | $21,510 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 320 | $41,480 | $19.94 | $58,550 | $23,070 |
| Muskegon, MI | 90 | $52,290 | $25.14 | $152,860 | $21,680 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 80 | $35,410 | $17.02 | $54,050 | $21,510 |
| Saginaw, MI | 150 | $34,170 | $16.43 | $52,000 | $21,160 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cosmetologist
Cosmetology by State