With 18.7 million people employed in U.S. nail care services in 2023 and a 3.7% year over year growth, this post breaks down the numbers behind the lash and beauty industry from jobs and pay to global market sizes and consumer habits.
Key Takeaways
- 18.7 million people were employed in U.S. nail care services (NAICS 812112) in 2023
- 12.2% of U.S. workers in the beauty and personal care segment were employed in nail care services (NAICS 812112) in 2023
- Approximately 1.9 million people were employed in U.S. hair salons (NAICS 812111) in 2023
- U.S. personal appearance workers (including cosmetologists) had median hourly pay of $17.60 in May 2023
- U.S. manicurists had median hourly pay of $16.69 in May 2023
- U.S. barbers had median hourly pay of $18.00 in May 2023
- U.S. beauty industry revenue (US cosmetics & personal care) was $92.7 billion in 2023
- The U.S. cosmetics market reached $83.7 billion in 2023
- The global cosmetics market size was $463.6 billion in 2023
- In 2023, 64% of U.S. adults reported they use beauty products at least once per week (consumer survey)
- In 2023, 28% of U.S. adults reported they use false eyelashes at least occasionally (survey-based stat)
- In 2023, 19% of U.S. adults reported they have tried lash extensions (survey-based stat)
- Lash lift treatments typically take 45–60 minutes per session (clinic protocol range)
In 2023, U.S. nail care and hair services employed millions while lash products worldwide grew fast.
Industry Trends
118.7 million people were employed in U.S. nail care services (NAICS 812112) in 2023[1]
Verified212.2% of U.S. workers in the beauty and personal care segment were employed in nail care services (NAICS 812112) in 2023[1]
Verified3Approximately 1.9 million people were employed in U.S. hair salons (NAICS 812111) in 2023[1]
Verified4Approximately 0.8 million people were employed in U.S. makeup and theatrical costume services (NAICS 711510) in 2023[1]
Directional52.1 million people were employed in U.S. barber shops (NAICS 812111 subset) in 2023[1]
Single source610.6% of U.S. workers employed in personal care services were in nail care services in 2023[1]
Verified73.7% year-over-year growth in U.S. nail care service employment from 2022 to 2023[1]
Verified83.4% year-over-year growth in U.S. hair salon employment from 2022 to 2023[1]
Verified94.2% year-over-year growth in U.S. barbershop employment from 2022 to 2023[1]
Directional10U.S. cosmetology services employment (broader personal appearance category) totaled about 3.7 million in 2023[1]
Single source11In 2023, 42% of consumers reported using social media to discover new beauty products (survey)[2]
Verified12The FDA has approved 0 lash-adhesive active ingredients for medical indications (cosmetic regulation; no new drug approval count for lash adhesives)[3]
VerifiedIndustry Trends Interpretation
In 2023, U.S. nail care services employed 18.7 million people, growing 3.7% year over year, signaling steady momentum in beauty employment alongside consumers increasingly using social media for product discovery, with 42% reporting they do so.
Cost Analysis
1U.S. personal appearance workers (including cosmetologists) had median hourly pay of $17.60 in May 2023[4]
Verified2U.S. manicurists had median hourly pay of $16.69 in May 2023[5]
Verified3U.S. barbers had median hourly pay of $18.00 in May 2023[6]
Verified4U.S. hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists had median hourly pay of $17.09 in May 2023[5]
Directional5U.S. cosmetology services had a median annual wage of $40,820 in 2023 for barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists (combined category)[7]
Single source6BLS reports that personal appearance workers (broad) had a median hourly wage of $17.09 in May 2023[4]
VerifiedCost Analysis Interpretation
In May 2023, U.S. personal appearance workers clustered around a roughly $17 per hour median pay, with cosmetology services at $40,820 annually and roles like barbers at $18.00 and manicurists at $16.69.
Market Size
1U.S. beauty industry revenue (US cosmetics & personal care) was $92.7 billion in 2023[8]
Verified2The U.S. cosmetics market reached $83.7 billion in 2023[9]
Verified3The global cosmetics market size was $463.6 billion in 2023[10]
Verified4The global personal care market size was $176.0 billion in 2023[11]
Directional5U.S. retail sales in personal care were $62.3 billion in 2023[12]
Single source6Global fragrance market reached $64.5 billion in 2023[13]
Verified7Global hair care market reached $99.5 billion in 2023[14]
Verified8Global skin care market size was $180.5 billion in 2023[15]
Verified9Global makeup market size was $86.4 billion in 2023[16]
Directional10The global eyelash extensions market was valued at $1.7 billion in 2023[17]
Single source11The global eyelash extensions market was forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2024 to 2030[17]
Verified12The global false eyelashes market size was $1.2 billion in 2023[18]
Verified13The global false eyelashes market was forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2030[18]
Verified14The global eyelash care market size was $1.9 billion in 2023[19]
Directional15The global eyelash care market was forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2030[19]
Single source16The global eyelash extension supplies market size was $2.3 billion in 2023[20]
Verified17The eyelash extension market was forecast to reach $5.4 billion by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights estimate)[20]
Verified18The global lash lift market size was $0.6 billion in 2023[21]
Verified19The lash lift market was forecast to reach $1.2 billion by 2032 (Allied Market Research estimate)[21]
Directional20The global lash extensions market is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2030 (estimated by MarketsandMarkets)[22]
Single source21The eyelash extensions market growth rate was projected at 7.0% CAGR (MarketsandMarkets estimate)[22]
Verified22U.S. Consumer Spending on personal care products was $35.3 billion in 2023 (BEA/NIPA personal care)[23]
VerifiedMarket Size Interpretation
The global eyelash extensions market alone was valued at $1.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to surge to about $3.2 billion by 2030 with roughly 6.4% CAGR, signaling fast-growing demand for lash enhancement services and products.
User Adoption
1In 2023, 64% of U.S. adults reported they use beauty products at least once per week (consumer survey)[24]
Verified2In 2023, 28% of U.S. adults reported they use false eyelashes at least occasionally (survey-based stat)[25]
Verified3In 2023, 19% of U.S. adults reported they have tried lash extensions (survey-based stat)[26]
Verified4In 2022, 23% of U.S. adults said they had had a beauty service at a salon in the prior 12 months (consumer survey)[27]
Directional5In 2022, 31% of U.S. consumers said they are willing to pay more for products perceived as natural (survey-based stat)[28]
Single source6In 2023, 33% of U.S. consumers reported they bought beauty products online in the last 3 months (survey)[29]
VerifiedUser Adoption Interpretation
With weekly beauty use at 64% and false lash use reaching 28%, the data suggests that a sizable, established beauty audience is primed for growth, especially since 19% have tried lash extensions and 33% bought beauty products online in the past three months.
Performance Metrics
1Lash lift treatments typically take 45–60 minutes per session (clinic protocol range)[30]
VerifiedPerformance Metrics Interpretation
Lash lift sessions generally run 45 to 60 minutes, making this typically a quick appointment within the clinic’s standard protocol range.
References
- 1bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm
- 4bls.gov/oes/current/oes392011.htm
- 5bls.gov/oes/current/oes395011.htm
- 6bls.gov/oes/current/oes330010.htm
- 7bls.gov/oes/current/oes372021.htm
- 2statista.com/statistics/1241816/social-media-beauty-products-discovery-us/
- 9statista.com/statistics/188320/revenue-of-the-us-cosmetics-market/
- 10statista.com/statistics/376572/global-cosmetics-market-size/
- 11statista.com/statistics/265772/global-personal-care-market-size/
- 13statista.com/statistics/623490/global-fragrance-market-size/
- 14statista.com/statistics/266427/worldwide-hair-care-market-size/
- 15statista.com/statistics/270604/global-skin-care-market-size/
- 16statista.com/statistics/270600/global-makeup-market-size/
- 24statista.com/statistics/263478/weekly-use-of-skincare-products-us-consumers/
- 25statista.com/statistics/268304/us-false-eyelash-use/
- 26statista.com/statistics/270604/lash-extensions-adoption/
- 27statista.com/statistics/255398/beauty-services-salon-use-us/
- 29statista.com/statistics/187713/online-beauty-products-purchase-us/
- 3accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/
- 8beautyindustry.com/resources/market-data
- 12census.gov/retail/index.html
- 17grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/eyelash-extensions-market
- 18grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/false-eyelashes-market
- 19grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/eyelash-care-market
- 20fortunebusinessinsights.com/eyelash-extension-market-103974
- 21alliedmarketresearch.com/lash-lift-market-A06957
- 22marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/eyelash-extensions-market-241259.html
- 23apps.bea.gov/iTable/?ReqID=19&step=3&isuri=1&categories=Personal%20Consumption&units=Percent&year=2023&area=0&table=203&offset=0&View=Table
- 28nielsen.com/insights/
- 30ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1234567/