Fifty-three percent of beauty salon owners had job openings in recent years, according to a report released by The National Accrediting Commission Of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). Three-quarters of those surveyed said they had trouble finding applicants. “Salon owners have jobs waiting,” says the report, but they have been unable to find enough qualified professionals to fill the jobs available. 182,000 of those jobs were filled by newly-trained professionals entering the beauty industry, many from accredited cosmetology schools like Western Beauty Institute.

“Even with significant levels of hiring, nearly three-quarters of the salons that tried to fill positions were not able to find qualified applicants,” says the report, entitled Job Demand in the Cosmetology Industry, 2007. “The supply of skilled professionals in the industry continues to fall short of the demand.”

As of January 2007, more than 1.6 million cosmetology professionals were employed in more than 370,000 beauty, skin care, nail and barber shops and salons throughout the country. There were over 48,000 salons in California alone. The number of professional beauticians reflects a five percent increase over the last three years, with an eighteen percent increase in the total number of salons. “The vast majority were cosmetologists, including colorists, stylists, cutters and perm specialists.” The number of barbers has decreased, but numbers of skin care specialists and massage therapists have increased.

A typical salon, according to the report, provides full services from an average of five stations, employs three full-time and two part-time professionals, and serves an average of 127 customers per week.

Salons are rapidly growing in number, and are becoming more specialized. Day spas reported the highest average number of workstations (8 per salon), and served the most clients per week (148). Day spas and skin care salons continue to be most popular in the West, also where the largest salons tend to be located, and where the most full-time professionals are employed, most of those being entry-level candidates.

A surprisingly large percentage of professionals (more than 25 percent each year) branch off to offer their own beauty services, often opening their own salons and setting themselves up in their very own businesses.

The highest demand, suggests the report, is for Nail Technicians, good news for those enrolled in the Manicuring/Nail Technology program at Western Beauty Institute. While Nail Technicians make up less than 10 percent of current industry employees, says the report, “nearly 18 percent of the job openings are in that area.”

“One finding remains constant,” states the report. “The demand for well-trained professionals in the field outstrips the supply. The industry is projected to continue growing.”