Career Training · Beauty Trades
Beauty Trades Careers
Training by Hope Training Academy, a program of Video Game Palooza (501(c)(3)) · hopetrainingacademy.org
The beauty trades — hair, skin, and nails — offer flexible, in-demand work with clear paths to booth rental and salon ownership, and steady projected growth in personal-care services. Because these are licensed professions, entering them means combining training hours with a state license exam before you can work on paying clients.
Launch a Creative Beauty Career with a Nail Technician Certification Online
Career outlook · O*NET
$34,000
Median annual salary · Manicurist and Pedicurist
Faster than average
10-year job outlook
Where it leads · O*NETCareers you can train for
Roles these programs prepare you for, with typical U.S. wages from O*NET. Most are open with a certification, not a four-year degree.
Cosmetologist / Hairstylist$27–45k
Cuts, colors, and styles hair and provides general beauty services (tips add meaningfully).
Esthetician / Skincare Specialist$32–55k
Performs facials, skin treatments, and hair-removal services in salons and spas.
Nail Technician$28–42k
Provides manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements (tips add meaningfully).
Barber$30–50k
Cuts and styles hair and provides shaves and grooming services.
Makeup Artist$30–65k
Applies makeup for salons, events, bridal, and media; earnings vary widely by clientele.
What you'll earnCredentials & certifications
Programs prepare you for the credentials employers screen for — many include the exam voucher.
State Cosmetology LicenseState Esthetician LicenseState Nail Technician LicenseState Barber License
FeaturedProfessional practice in the beauty trades requires a state-issued license. These courses provide training and education only and are not a substitute for state licensure; licensing hours, curriculum, and exams are regulated by each state's cosmetology board.
Where this training leadsBuilt to lead somewhere real
Training builds the technical skill and the supervised hours that qualify you to sit for a state license exam — the credential that legally lets you work on clients and, later, rent a booth or open a salon. We prepare you for that path and the licensing requirements in your state.
Wage & outlook data: O*NET OnLine (U.S. Dept. of Labor). Hope Training Academy is a program of Video Game Palooza, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — 100% of proceeds fund free tech training.
