The beauty industry is rife with opportunity for aspiring professionals, it’s just a matter of finding your passion and pursuing it to the best of your ability. So if your passion is lashes, you might be wondering just how much does a lash tech make a year? This article will explore lash technician salaries, plus the many factors that can affect your income, and ways you can increase your profits. 

Lash Tech Annual Salary

To understand how much lash techs make, you’ll first have to understand the growth of the lash beauty industry, which was cited as worth a little over $1 billion in 2023, with at least 25% of that market share in the United States alone. Driven by celebrity endorsements, social media, and changing beauty standards, lash techs have the potential to succeed in an expansive, lucrative business market. 

According to GlossGenius business data, the average monthly revenue for lash businesses active between January and July 2024 was $3,131.88. However, it’s important to note that location, skill, and brand recognition can all impact your total earnings, in addition to the types of services you provide and clientele size. 

Plus, whether you’re self-employed or working at a studio will further affect your earnings. Business owners have the potential to earn more than lash studio employees since they keep all of their income (minus expenses), and don’t have to pay commission.

According to ZipRecruiter, lash techs can make an average of $45,000 a year, which works out to about $22 per hour (before taxes). As a lash business owner, though, you have potential to make approximately $10,000 to $30,000 more annually. 

• Lash studio employee annual income sample: 
  • 10 clients per week at $50 per session, with a 60/40 commission split = $15,600 before taxes 
  • 15 clients per week at $75 per session, with a 50/50 commission split = $29,250 before taxes 
  • 20 clients per week at $100 per session, with a 40/60 commission split = $41,600 per year before taxes

• Lash studio owner annual income sample: 
  • 10 clients per week at $50 per session = $26,000 before taxes and expenses
  • 15 clients per week at $75 per session = $58,500 before taxes and expenses
  • 20 clients per week at $100 per session = $104,000 before taxes and expenses

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7 Factors Affecting Lash Tech Earnings

The amount of money you can make as a lash professional will vary. Here, we list several factors that can affect your lash artist salary: 

1. Location

Your business location can impact your lash technician salary, from the state down to the county level. Yes, states like California and New York are generally more expensive, but where you are within the state will also affect your earnings. Populated urban areas often have higher costs of living and expenses than rural parts, so prices for services are often higher as well. Even though there’s more demand in these areas, there’s also more competition, which means you won’t be able to just charge whatever you want without potentially losing customers. 

2. Reputation

Your experience as a lash tech is what helps sell you to your clientele. Before customers make an appointment, they’ll likely look up your business, read your website, and check your reviews. The better your reputation, the more likely clients are to come to you for their lashes.

3. Skillset

If you have a wide range of skills when it comes to lashes, you can offer an expanded service menu to satisfy all your clients’ lash needs. For instance, you can increase your earning potential if you can do tints and lifts in addition to extensions and fills. 

4. Demand

Even if you pick a high-traffic location and have superior training, it’s not going to do much for your business if there’s no demand for your services. This is why it’s crucial to do market research before you even set up shop – to ensure your business can fulfill the needs of the surrounding demographic. 

5. Hours

How many hours you put into your work can also impact your lash artist salary. If your business is only open three days a week, you’re likely not going to make as much as you would if you were open five days a week. Keeping a flexible schedule and making yourself available for clients is the best way to maximize your profits. 

6. Marketing

Your marketing efforts will also affect how much your lash tech business makes in a year. Your website and social media platforms can help expand your reach and deliver your brand across the internet, inviting in newcomers and spreading the word of your business. If you have the budget, you can also try traditional forms of marketing like mailers, bench ads, and billboards. 

7. Commission

When you work as an employee at a lash studio, you may have to pay them commission for every client you service. This means that even though the studio charges $75 per lash fill, a 60/40 commission rate means you’ll only keep 60% of that ($45), while paying the other 40% ($30) back to the studio. 

How to Increase Your Lash Tech Earnings: 5 Ways

Making a living as a lash tech isn’t impossible, but it can be challenging in an especially competitive market. Below are some ways you can help increase your earnings as a lash artist: 

1. Referrals

Referrals are how you can get your clients to refer you to their friends and family. With a client referral system, you can offer discounts or rewards for every customer referral that books an appointment at your lash studio. 

2. Collaborations

Pair with a local business like a hair or nail salon to offer deals to their clients, such as when they spend $50 on their manicure they get $5 off your lash services. Or, you can advertise your services in their salon (and vice versa). 

3. Hiring more staff

Hiring more employees is another way to boost your profits. While it costs more to maintain a staff, it can also increase the amount of income flowing into your business if you’re particularly busy. Having more employees also provides your business an opportunity to carry a variety of new or specialty services. 

4. Incorporate product sales

Your lash business doesn’t have to stop at services – you can also sell products like lash cleaners, serums, or even self-applicable extensions. As long as you stay conscious of your budget, filling your inventory with retail products can prove to be a lucrative addition to your offerings. 

5. Offer additional services

In addition to lashes, you can offer additional services like rejuvenating facials or brow work like lamination, tinting, or microblading. Extra services like these can expand your appeal to a range of clients and bring in more business. 

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Self-Employment vs. Studio Employed Lash Artist: Which One Is for You?

Another major factor you should consider before entering the lash beauty business is whether you want to start your own lash studio, or work at an established one. Many lash artists begin their careers working for a business before venturing out on their own, but it’s not always necessary. 

Self-employed eyelash technician salaries are typically higher than those who work at a studio, because most studio employees have to pay a commission percentage of their profit back to their employer, whereas self-employed business owners get to keep their earnings. Self-employed lash techs also have the flexibility to set their own hours and prices, create a custom services list, and control their marketing. 

However, self-employed lash technicians also have to account for business expenses like equipment, inventory, staff salaries, and office rent before they can calculate their net profit. Also, work may not be as consistent as a self-employed lash business owner as it is for studio employees working for an established brand. 

Discover How GlossGenius Can Help You Boost Your Lash Business

Whether you find employment at a lash studio or try your luck going solo, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each to make the most informed decision for your career. While self-employed eyelash technician salaries are typically higher than what you’d make as a lash studio employee, you may have to contend with a multitude of expenses and less consistent work. 

GlossGenius is the perfect partner for your lash tech business. With features like Online Booking, clients can keep your calendar filled with appointments 24/7. Client Management makes it simple to send booking confirmations and appointment reminders so your clients never miss their session. GlossGenius’ Inventory Management can also track your supplies and provide low stock notifications when it’s time to refill, and seamlessly integrates with our Point-of-Sale features so you never have to manually recount your products again. 

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