Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | Highest-paying states: #1: Massachusetts (average annual wage: $43,920; employment: 10,530) – #2: Washington (average annual wage: $43,240; employment: 9,390) – #3: Washington D.C. (average annual wage: $42,800; employment: 870) – #4: Colorado (average annual wage: $37,640; employment: 8,000) – #5: New Jersey (average annual wage: $37,400; employment: 19,280). Hairdressers and stylists cut, trim, color, shape, and style hair, while cosmetologists are beauty professionals who style hair, but also perform treatments on skin and nails. Although it’s hard to quantify why beauty professionals earn so much more in the top five highest-paying states, one of the most rapidly expanding segments of the industry is the so-called salon suite, where professionals rent salons, sell products of their choosing, perform their own services, and keep the profits without paying a traditional commission to a salon owner.
What do barbers, medical professionals, taxidermists, school bus drivers and manicurists all have in common? They need an occupational license from the state to be allowed to do their job in Florida.
Currently, many of these skilled professionals cannot perform their jobs in many other states if they hold a Florida occupational license — nor here in Florida if their occupational license is from elsewhere. Thankfully, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1600 this 2024 session, which will be a game changer for new residents to get to work quickly.
Arguably, most of these professionals would perform their job duties the same way, regardless of where they practice their trade. By eliminating barriers to these professionals in other states who want to live here in Florida, the state can more easily welcome them in and let them contribute to our state’s economy, all while serving our residents.
During Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign for governor, he championed occupational licensing reform by giving the example at campaign stops that it was currently easier to become a paratrooper in the military than it was to become a cosmetologist. In 2020, Florida made great strides when the legislature approved DeSantis’ “Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act,” which removed barriers of entry to certain professions licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. SB 1600 will do even more to get people to work and reform our occupational licensing system, so we can continue to flourish here in the Sunshine State.
These hardworking Americans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to perform the same job in another state. Universal license recognition doesn’t just benefit the individual — it’s a positive for the entire state, supporting a flourishing Florida economy by boosting employment. Universal licensing also lowers costs for businesses because there is no outlay to retrain these professionals as they were already trained to earn a license in the state they came from.
Currently, 20 states have adopted universal recognition for out-of-state licensees. Florida, the fastest-growing state, should become the 21st, promoting growth in its economy and better serving residents as they come or go. We shouldn’t let unelected bureaucrats and special interests hold back individuals from getting to work faster.
DeSantis should continue to champion universal licensure and sign SB 1600, which will remove more barriers for people to continue working in their occupation.
This article was originally published in Orlando Sentinel.
