Hair Schools in Illinois
Browse our directory of hair design schools in Illinois, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Hair Schools in Illinois
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1200 Harger Road Suite 100
Oak Brook, IL 60523
G Skin & Beauty Institute - Schaumburg – Accredited
Schaumburg, IL 60195
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
How to Become a Hair Designer in Illinois
- 1,500 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 14 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for cosmetologists in Illinois is $32,980 ($15.86/hour).
- There is a predicted 3% job increase between 2018–2028 for cosmetologists.
A chic bob, long layers, a buzz cut - with hair design training in Illinois, you could be able to create all of these looks and more.
If you know how a good hair cut or hairstyle can transform a person's entire look, then you could be a natural in the field of hair design.
State License Requirements
Required to earn a hair design license
To work as a hair designer in Illinois, you must have a valid cosmetology license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. They require you to complete a training program of at least 1,500 hours before taking a comprehensive cosmetology exam.
Education Details
The curriculum of your hair design program may help you develop many valuable skills and techniques in cosmetology. When you begin your training, you may cover basic procedures like shampooing, trimming hair, and assessing a customer's hair. You can plan on spending quite a bit of time with mannequin heads in this part of your training. Once you have proven yourself with basic cosmetology techniques, you can start delving into more advanced aspects of hair design. You may spend several hundred hours learning how to carry out chemical procedures, cut hair in modern and classic ways, and style hair for different events. Many hairdresser training programs in Illinois focus on developing business skills on top of cosmetology skills. In your training, you may learn how to balance your books, fill your schedule, and ensure customer satisfaction.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Like many states, Illinois has a cosmetology license that is the best fit for students who want to work as hair designers in this state. Since many programs also include nail and makeup courses, you can expand the services you offer to clients, and be more appealing to hiring salons. After completing a 1,500-hour training program and meeting the other state requirements, you can become licensed. If you earn your cosmetology license here, you will need to renew it in odd-numbered years, no later than September 30th. The fee for doing so is $25.
Illinois Hair Design Careers
Average yearly salary for hair design in Illinois
One benefit of working in Illinois is the solid job outlook for cosmetologists and other beauty professionals. From 2018 until 2028, O*Net believes that cosmetology job openings may increase by 3%. Cosmetology salaries in Illinois tend to be slightly higher than the national average. If you work in a large urban area, you may find that salaries are even higher. Working in an urban area or in a high-end salon may help you enjoy a higher salary potential. O*Net reports an average salary of $32,980 per year for Illinois cosmetologists. Since part of your income may come from tips, your salary may depend on how busy your schedule is and how happy you keep your customers.
If you're willing to buckle down and work hard as a hair designer, you may find that the sky is the limit. While you may start your career by trying to get clients into your chair and working long hours at the salon, you may enjoy much more freedom as you gain a reputation in your community. If you become known for your creativity and your skills, you may even be the one to sets the trends, not the one who follows them. Forbes reports on Sally Hershberger, an internationally-known hair designer who's hired by the celebrities for their hair styles. Sally Hershberger notes that a lot goes into a successful hair design career. You must set your prices appropriately to bring in clients and show that you value your work. She notes that you must be willing to explore different styles and techniques to find your niche. You should plan on spending some of your time developing your skills, as you want to keep growing in your career and offering new services to your clients. If you're passionate about beauty and ready to help people feel great about themselves when they look in the mirror every morning, it's time to start a career in hair design. Contact hair design schools in Illinois to get started!
Contact the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology
- 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60601
- Website: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Call: 888-473-4858
Many in Illinois enjoy the some of the most artistic hair care in the country. This is thanks to individuals who have honed their craft and kept the hair care industry a bustling enterprise. Those eager to learn more about hair design as a career consult these groups.