Salon and Spa Management

About the Program

Wallace State’s state-of-the-art facilities provide students with training in the full salon-spa experience.

Successful cosmetologists, barbers and other personal appearance workers should have an understanding of fashion, art, and technical design. They should enjoy working with the public and be willing and able to follow clients’ instructions. Communication, image, and attitude play an important role in career success. Some cosmetology schools consider “people skills” to be such an integral part of the job that they require coursework in that area. Business skills are important for those who plan to operate their own salons.



Advancement usually takes the form of higher earnings as barbers and cosmetologists gain experience and build a steady clientele. Some barbers and cosmetologists manage large salons, lease booth space in salons, or open their own salons after several years of experience. Others teach in barber or cosmetology schools or provide training through vocational schools. Still others advance to become sales representatives, image or fashion consultants, or examiners for State licensing boards.

The Wallace State program provides education in emerging technology in the scientific and practical study of beauty culture with instruction in the care and beautification of the hair, skin and nails, which is designed to prepare students for the Alabama licensing examination.

Career Outlook

Overall employment in this field is projected to grow through 2014, because of an increasing population, rising incomes, and growing demand for personal appearance services.

Employment trends are expected to vary among the different occupational specialties. Employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists should grow about as fast as the average, and will be above average for those specializing in nail and skin care. Continued growth in the number of nail salons and full-service day spas will generate numerous job openings for manicurists, pedicurists, skin care specialists, and shampooers.

Median earnings in May 2017 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was ‎$24,900 per year or $11.97 per hour with employment opportunities projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Licensure Disclosure Statement, Cosmetology
Licensure Disclosure Statement, Salon and Spa Management