Salon and Spa Management in Illinois

Managing a salon is a great way to take your beauty career to the next level. Learn more here at BeautySchools.com and let us help you find spa management schools near you to get started on your new career path!

Before you can begin your career as a spa or salon manager in Illinois, you need to be proficient in several fields. You can learn everything you need to know at a spa management program. This program is often offered at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and technical colleges. Since spa management programs only require 15 to 30 credits, you can typically graduate in less than one year.

Find Salon Management Programs in Illinois

Your spa management program is designed to give you the knowledge you need to work efficiently in the main part of the salon and the office. To be a successful manager on the salon floor, you need to be able to manage staff, help where needed, offer customer service, and make sure that scheduling needs are met.

In addition to learning about managing the salon floor, you can plan on learning the business skills you need to make sure the salon runs smoothly. You may take a financial course to learn how to do payroll and place product orders. You might also take courses in scheduling and human resources.

Licensing and Certification Requirements in Illinois for Spa Management

There are currently no certification or licensure requirements for spa and salon managers in Illinois. If you currently have a cosmetology license, nail technician license, esthetician license, or other relevant license, you may want to keep it valid! Cosmetology licensure can make you even more valuable to prospective employers, since you can jump on the floor and take clients if your salon has an extremely busy day.

If you are preparing for spa or salon ownership, there are certain requirements you must meet. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requires you to fill out a shop registration application. Once your shop is registered with the state, you can officially open it to the public. Even as a salon owner, you do not need any type of cosmetology license.

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

Getting your first salon manager job is an exciting step in your new career! With a degree, you may be poised to take on salon management jobs in high-end salons all over Illinois. The highest concentration of jobs may be found in large cities like Chicago and Joliet. Be sure to look for spa and salon management jobs at privately-owned establishments as well as chain establishments. As a new manager, you may be expected to work night and weekend shifts to prove your merit. With seniority, you might be able to choose your schedule and work more flexible hours.

Of course, part of starting a new career is figuring out how much money you can make and what the job outlook is like. According to O*Net, the average salary for an Illinois spa manager is $37,100 per year. They anticipate a 7% increase in job openings between 2010 and 2020 (O*Net, 2010).

There are a few ways you can further your career and improve your job outlook. Consider joining a professional group like the International Spa Association to network with other spa professionals and continue your education, both of which can help you advance your career. This group provides advocacy services, continuing education seminars, and annual conferences to spa professionals. You can learn about new developments in the beauty industry and get access to new products before anyone else.