Spa and Salon Management Programs in California

If you want to take your hospitality career to the next level, consider becoming a spa manager! People love being pampered, so this career is in high demand. Learn more here at BeautySchools.com to find out if this career is right for you., and how to get started!

Spa Management Training in California

To become a successful spa manager, you can attend a spa management program at a local cosmetology school or technical/community college. These programs are typically made up of 15 to 30 credits, so you can often graduate in less than one year!

A big part of your education revolves around customer service. By the time you graduate, you’ll learn how to make customers feel welcome, how to handle customer complaints, and how to keep customers coming back again and again. Another significant part of spa management is staff management. Your program can give you valuable management techniques that help you manage all types of beauty professionals. This part of your education includes how to hire and discipline staff.

It’s also very important to know about salon and spa laws in California. California has a clear set of rules that spas and salons must follow at all times. During your time in school, you can plan on learning salon laws and how to make sure that your salon is always in compliance.

Licensing and Certification Requirements in California for Spa Management

California is one of many states that does not have any licensing or certification requirements for spa managers. Since you are not performing any cosmetology duties, you do not need any sort of cosmetology license. However, it can be beneficial to be a licensed cosmetologist—some salons and spas prefer to hire managers that have hands-on experience in the field.

If you are taking a spa/salon management course in preparation for salon ownership, the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology does have salon licensing requirements. Before you can open to the public, you must submit a new establishment application and make sure your salon meets the state’s requirements.

Career Outlook and Employment Opportunities for Salon and Spa Managers in California

After you have completed your spa management training, you are ready to start your career as a salon or spa manager! If you are currently employed as a cosmetologist, nail technician, or esthetician, you may be eligible for promotion at your current salon. A large amount of privately-owned and chain salons hire managers.

Your work schedule depends a lot on what your salon needs. Some owners prefer to keep a manager scheduled when they cannot be present, so you may have to work lots of night and weekend hours. O*Net reports that the average salary for a spa manager in California is $40,000 per year; this is almost $5,000 higher than the national average of $35,200! They predict a solid job outlook through 2020.

O*Net expects a 9% increase in job openings between 2010 and 2020, leading to more than 700 new jobs every year.

The beauty industry is always changing, and it’s up to you as a salon manager to make sure that your salon reflects the newest trends. You can join a group like the California Spa Association. This group offers ongoing education opportunities, training seminars, access to the newest spa research, and a job board. They have seven different chapters, so you can attend meetings no matter where you live in California.