by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager involves the study of Salon/beauty Salon Management/manager. A Program That Prepares Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, And Other Personal Grooming Specialists To Manage Beauty Parlors, Shops, And Full-Service Or Specialized Salons And To Prepare For Licensure As Professional Salon Owners And Operators. Includes Instruction In Cosmetic Services Marketing And Retailing; Advertising And Promotion; Salon Management; The Cosmetic And Salon Supply Industries; Hiring, Supervision, And Labor Relations; Applicable Business And Professional Laws And Regulations; Professional Standards And Image; And Customer Service. Read on to learn the key facts every salon/beauty salon management/manager major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering salon/beauty salon management/manager programs.
Across the country, salon/beauty salon management/manager is a widely-pursued major, with 514 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for salon/beauty salon management/manager students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of salon/beauty salon management/manager programs later in this article.
Coursework for Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations salon/beauty salon management/manager graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a salon/beauty salon management/manager program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a salon/beauty salon management/manager major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several salon/beauty salon management/manager degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 228 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 237 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 49 |
People currently working in careers related to salon/beauty salon management/manager tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.1% |
| Master’s degree | 13.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.0% |
| Some college courses | 11.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in salon/beauty salon management/manager careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in salon/beauty salon management/manager prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to salon/beauty salon management/manager.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to salon/beauty salon management/manager.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | 606,268 | 3.4% |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | 403,205 | 4.2% |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | 320,819 | 2.9% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 226,641 | -3.6% |
| Spa Managers | 184,703 | -2.2% |
| Barbers | 168,368 | 10.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of salon/beauty salon management/manager graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for salon/beauty salon management/manager graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers salon/beauty salon management/manager grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $176,674 |
| Spa Managers | $143,396 |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | $66,320 |
| Barbers | $47,321 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,017 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $31,083 |
With 17 different salon/beauty salon management/manager programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased salon/beauty salon management/manager school rankings to help you.
Those considering salon/beauty salon management/manager, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
