A cosmetology career isn’t a checkbox you can tick the day you earn your license. It’s something you build over time. With a new year quickly underway, many beauty professionals are thinking more intentionally about long-term stability, growth, and how to stay competitive in an industry that continues to evolve.
The beauty industry offers opportunity, but it also rewards those who keep learning. Techniques change. Guest expectations rise. New service categories gain traction. Those who invest in education beyond the basics are better positioned to adapt, expand, and grow with confidence over the long term.
The Industry Keeps Changing, and That’s Not Slowing Down
The beauty industry remains a strong and active career field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 5 percent between 2024 and 2034, with an average of more than 84,000 job openings each year. That growth reflects steady demand, but it also means more professionals entering the field.
Income potential varies widely. In 2024, the median annual pay for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $35,420, with earning potential closely tied to specialization, service offerings, and guest demand. In practice, professionals who expand skills and develop advanced services are often the ones who move beyond entry-level income and build long-term stability.
As demand grows, so do career opportunities in cosmetology, especially for professionals who bring advanced skills and clear expertise to their work.
New Jersey Licensure Is Just the Beginning
In New Jersey, earning a cosmetology license requires completing 1,200 hours of approved training, meeting age and education requirements, and passing state exams. Licenses must be renewed every two years. This process ensures professionals enter the industry with a strong technical foundation.
What’s important to understand is that New Jersey does not require continuing education hours for license renewal. From a legal standpoint, once you’re licensed, additional training is optional.
From a career standpoint, it’s strategic.
Licensure allows you to work. It doesn’t automatically prepare you for long-term growth or the expanding range of services guests now expect. That’s where continuing education and advanced training come in.
Cosmetology Career Paths Are Expanding
A huge plus when it comes to a cosmetology career is flexibility. While many professionals begin behind the chair, today’s cosmetology career paths extend far beyond a single role or service category.
They can include:
- Advanced cutting and finishing
- Advanced color technique and correction
- Texture-focused specialization
- Styling for events, editorial, and media
- Makeup artistry and natural enhancements
- Lash extensions and brow services
- Skin services and advanced aesthetics
- Medical aesthetics and medi-spa settings
- Education, mentoring, and platform work
These expanding options allow professionals to adapt their focus, refine their interests, and build long-term stability within careers in cosmetology.
Continuing Education Matters Even When It’s Not Required
As professionals gain experience, growth often comes from depth rather than volume. Advanced training helps sharpen technique, strengthen consultations, and improve consistency. It also supports confidence when introducing new services or responding to guest questions.
High-quality continuing education classes for cosmetologists play a key role in helping professionals sharpen their techniques, expand their services, and stay competitive as the industry evolves.
Over time, these advantages compound. Education becomes less about keeping up and more about shaping where your career goes next.
Where the Rizzieri Advanced Academy Fits
Guided by the philosophy Refine, Expand, Grow, Rizzieri Advanced Academy offers advanced education that strengthens foundational skills while opening doors to new opportunities. Training spans advanced services across multiple disciplines, supporting both students thinking ahead and licensed professionals looking to level up without starting over.
Who are the Advanced Academy classes designed for?
Classes are built for licensed professionals and advanced students who want to specialize, improve technical skills, or explore new directions within their cosmetology career.
What types of classes are offered through the Advanced Academy?
The Advanced Academy offers training in several areas including:
About Rizzieri Aveda School
Rizzieri Aveda School provides accredited beauty education with a focus on skill, professionalism, and real-world experience. As New Jersey’s only Aveda-partnered school, we help students build strong, career-ready foundations. Reach out to get all of your questions answered about our programs, or begin enrollment today!