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Permalink Reply by Regina on January 5, 2016 at 7:44pm

Hi There-
Congrats on your move? How exciting to create beautiful skin in a new city? I am going to give you two answers so pick the one that is best for you:
1.) Put the salary that you want and think you deserve, and since unfortunately women are notoriously underpaid add about $300-500 dollars more to the initial amount you had in mind.
2) You say you dont want your salary requirement to ruin your shot at an intwrview so write the word NEGOTIABLE on the line where the employer requests salary info. Here's the thing though don't sell yourself short. In the process of finding a position there is a price for quality and you deserve it! Never settle, Consider what you need to live comfortably and determine your salary accordingly. Also check to see if any salary stats for your areas estheticians are out there. I hope this helps and best wishes in your new city. I hope you get the salary you deserve.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Dyer on January 17, 2016 at 5:52pm

Hi there!  Just thought I would put an input in from a esthetician/employers prospective. 

Ask your self some questions when considering salary requirements.  

How experienced are you?  Do you have a particular expertise in a certain area of esthetics that could improve business for your employer? Are you good meeting your clients needs and helpful when it comes to recommending retail? In the past 4 years were you able to build a clientele with a repeat group of core clients?  Do you show up on time for work and presenting yourself professionally ? Do you take care of your clients?  Is your room left clean, sanitary and professional looking? Are you about building your business or are you looking for your employer to build it for you? Are you participating in continuing education seminars?  All of these areas factor into the highest paid estheticians.

As an esthetician who has had employees I always  want to create win/win situations.  When looking at 60/40 with the esthetician getting 60% you have to look at what the employer is getting for 40%.  This is not all profit.

If you are a 1099 employee it is not as much as you think, after paying for expenses such as laundry, electricity, rent, accounting services and receptionist and marketing the employer gets whats left.

If you are a true employee that 40% ends up being more like 5% when all of the above factors plus your products and supplies, liability insurance, and workman's compensation, unemployment, and state and federal employment taxes that are the paid by the employer. The above taxes by themselves equal approximately 17.9% of the employees salary. I am not saying you shouldn't make money. But my experience with many employees is that they think the owner/manager makes tons of money off the sweat of the estheticians back. Just not so in most cases.  So many times the estheticians come in late, have dirty or wrinkled clothing, lack of makeup or appropriate hair style, cancels or calls off often or with short notice. Sits and waits for clients to call for appointments. Fail to learn the employers skincare or product line (asks that the employer spend thousands of dollars to replace it with "something better" or that they are more comfortable with. This is supposed to be a win/win situation.  Employers are in business to make money just like you. Not in business to give people jobs. Imagine you bring in 1000.00 per week in service and sales.  5% of this is $50.00/10% is 100.00 pure profit to your owner after expenses are paid an you are getting 600.00.  Is it worth it for an employer to have you in their office for 50-100.00 per week?  That is why so many spas and salons booth rent and salon suites are such a big deal right now and doctors pay 12-18.00 per hour. 

If you find a spa/salon/office that excites you, you want to work there and then show them that they should also want you to work there.  Start with a good solid base salary or hourly that in your gut feels good to you. Then negotiate for what you really in your heart think your are worth and then show them you are worth it.  Those that start solid and work well and love what they do will build a wonderful client base but it takes  That takes TIME. This being said never put up with doing tasks and not getting paid for them. Never put up with abuse or disrespect or an shady behavior on the part of your manager/owner.

Hope this gives you another prospective and helps some.  

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