The beauty industry offers numerous opportunities for ambitious professionals, and finding your passion is the first step toward achieving success. If you are passionate about lashes, you may be wondering: how much does a lash technician make a year? This article explores lash technician salaries, factors that affect income, and strategies to increase profits.
Eyelash extensions have become a mainstream trend in the beauty industry over the past few decades. Significant advances in technology have made products lighter and more appealing. The lash beauty industry was valued at just over $1 billion in 2023, with at least 25% of that market share in the United States alone. Driven by celebrity endorsements, social media, and evolving beauty standards, lash technicians have the potential to thrive in a lucrative and expanding market. One thing has not changed in the past 20 years, there is still a severe shortage of professional talent in the industry. Lack of qualified lash artists is pronounced in every part of the world.
According to ZipRecruiter, lash technicians can earn an average of $45,000 per year, which translates to approximately $22 per hour before taxes. However, this figure can vary significantly based on several factors.
GlossGenius business data indicates that the average monthly revenue for lash businesses active between January and July 2024 was $3,131.88. It’s important to note that location, skill, and brand recognition can all impact your total earnings, in addition to the types of services you provide and clientele size. Plus, whether you’re self-employed or working at a studio will further affect your earnings. Business owners have the potential to earn more than lash studio employees since they keep all of their income (minus expenses) and don’t have to pay commission. As a lash business owner, though, you have potential to make approximately $10,000 to $30,000 more annually.
Here are a few examples to illustrate potential earnings for both lash studio employees and owners:
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When we talk about the potential earnings for certified lash artists, many are in disbelief. It is not uncommon for a lash artist with about 1 year of experience to charge as much as $200 for a set of Classic eyelash extensions and as much as $400 for a set of Volume. While prices do vary depending on the locale, we have noticed that in rural areas, prices have skyrocketed since 2020 and are climbing close to those in large urban markets. As you can see, working full time, an average Lash Artist can make well over $100,000 per year.
The amount of money you can make as a lash professional will vary based on several factors:
Your business location significantly impacts your lash technician salary, from the state down to the county level. States like California and New York are generally more expensive, but the specific location within the state also affects earnings. Populated urban areas often have higher costs of living and expenses than rural parts, leading to higher service prices. While there’s more demand in these areas, there’s also more competition, which means you won’t be able to just charge whatever you want without potentially losing customers. Even though there’s more demand in these areas, there’s also more competition, which means you won’t be able to just charge whatever you want without potentially losing customers.
Your experience as a lash technician helps sell you to your clientele. The better your reputation, the more likely clients are to seek you out for their lashes.
Offering a wide range of lash-related skills allows you to provide an expanded service menu to satisfy all your clients’ needs. For instance, you can increase your earning potential if you can do tints and lifts in addition to extensions and fills.
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Even with a high-traffic location and superior training, your business won’t thrive if there’s no demand for your services. Conducting thorough market research before setting up shop is crucial to ensure your business can fulfill the needs of the surrounding demographic.
The number of hours you dedicate to your work also impacts your lash artist salary. If your business is only open three days a week, you’re likely not going to make as much as you would if you were open five days a week. Keeping a flexible schedule and making yourself available for clients is the best way to maximize your profits.
Your marketing efforts significantly affect how much your lash technician business makes in a year.
When working as an employee at a lash studio, you may have to pay them a commission for every client you service. For example, if the studio charges $75 per lash fill and the commission rate is 60/40, you’ll only keep 60% of that ($45), while paying the other 40% ($30) back to the studio.
Making a good living as a lash technician can be challenging in a competitive market. Here are some ways to increase your earnings:
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Implement a client referral system to encourage your clients to refer their friends and family. Offer discounts or rewards for every customer referral that books an appointment at your lash studio.
Pair with local businesses like hair or nail salons to offer deals to their clients. For example, clients who spend $50 on their manicure get $5 off your lash services. You can also advertise your services in their salon (and vice versa).
Hiring more employees can boost your profits. While it costs more to maintain a staff, it can also increase the amount of income flowing into your business if you’re particularly busy. Having more employees also provides your business an opportunity to carry a variety of new or specialty services.
Expand your business beyond services by selling products like lash cleaners, serums, or even self-applicable extensions. Filling your inventory with retail products can be a lucrative addition to your offerings, as long as you stay conscious of your budget.
In addition to lashes, offer additional services like rejuvenating facials or brow work like lamination, tinting, or microblading. Extra services like these can expand your appeal to a range of clients and bring in more business.
Another major factor to consider is whether you want to start your own lash studio or work at an established one. Many lash artists begin their careers working for a business before venturing out on their own, but it’s not always necessary.
Self-employed eyelash technician salaries are typically higher than those who work at a studio, because most studio employees have to pay a commission percentage of their profit back to their employer, whereas self-employed business owners get to keep their earnings. Self-employed lash technicians also have the flexibility to set their own hours and prices, create a custom services list, and control their marketing. However, self-employed lash technicians also have to account for business expenses like equipment, inventory, staff salaries, and office rent before they can calculate their net profit. Also, work may not be as consistent as a self-employed lash business owner as it is for studio employees working for an established brand.
The obvious question is, why are there still so few lash artists out there? Lash artistry requires a lot of hard work and dedication to the craft. As with any industry, if you would like to make a great living, you must put in the utmost effort in order to achieve it. Many beginners are giving up too early and simply do not choose to put in the time and practice. The first 3-6 months in the life of a young lash artist are difficult. Many long hours of practice and concentration need to be put in to become a perfectionist. Lack of qualified and quality education is another reason why many lash artists fail to reach their potential. It is critical to begin your training and subsequent daily practice the right way. Another key to achieving a successful career as an eyelash artist is the need to believe in yourself. Self-esteem is often the reason many young lash artists give up.
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