Gitnux/Report 2026

Upskilling and Reskilling in the Beauty Industry Statistics

With 5 percent barber employment growth projected from 2022 to 2032 and 17 percent growth for skin care specialists, the U.S. beauty workforce is being pulled toward faster skill refresh than many training plans are built for. Add in 57 percent of U.S. adults buying beauty, skin, and hair products monthly and growing demand for updated chemical safety, SPF and product education, and bite sized digital learning, and you get a clear reason to read this page before your next client question, tool change, or trend shift outpaces your skills.
31Statistics
19Sources
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May 14, 2026Updated
Upskilling and Reskilling in the Beauty Industry Statistics
Marie LarsenWritten by Marie Larsen·Edited by Aisha Okonkwo·Fact-checked by Astrid Bergmann
Published ·Updated
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Beauty work is staying fast and changing even faster. With U.S. job growth projected at 17% for skin care specialists from 2022 to 2032 and 5% for barbers, training cannot be a one time event when clients expect new results and salons and spas update tools constantly. Meanwhile, skin and hair product use remains widespread and hands-on roles keep expanding, creating a real question for employers and professionals alike.

Key Takeaways

  • 3.1 million cosmetologists and barbers employed in the U.S. (2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), indicating a large base of beauty-industry workers who may need ongoing upskilling/reskilling
  • In the U.S. (BLS), cosmetologists work typically full-time, with employment concentrated in personal care services (May 2023), indicating where training programs may need to scale
  • 569,000 U.S. workers employed in skin care specialists (May 2023, BLS), showing the scale of skin-focused beauty roles that may require new skills
  • 57% of U.S. adults used a beauty/skin/hair product in the prior month (2023, NPD Group via their consumer insights coverage), implying ongoing demand for updated product/application skills
  • BLS reports that cosmetologists have a typical work setting in salons, which often adopt new equipment/product systems, increasing the need for skills renewal as tools change
  • The WEF Future of Jobs (2023) reports that analytical thinking and creative thinking are top skills despite automation trends (ranked skills—measurable rankings), supporting training priorities for client problem-solving in beauty
  • The global spa industry was valued at about $105.4B in 2023 (IBISWorld industry outlook cited by industry coverage), reflecting workforce training needs in treatment delivery
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% employment growth for barbers from 2022 to 2032, indicating continued hiring and the need for skill updating
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% employment growth for skin care specialists from 2022 to 2032, suggesting faster skill renewal needs for skincare and related services
  • In a 2022 Deloitte human capital report, 82% of executives said reskilling and upskilling the workforce is critical to organizational success, reinforcing the strategic priority
  • In a 2022 Gallup study, 87% of employees reported they learn best when they are supported with development opportunities, indicating why reskilling programs matter in high-turnover beauty roles
  • A 2020 U.S. Department of Labor report states that apprenticeships can help workers earn while learning and complete training faster than traditional routes, relevant to structured beauty programs
  • The U.S. Department of Labor reported 16.8 million registered apprentices in U.S. history and highlighted apprenticeship growth, indicating an alternative training pathway for service skills
  • A 2021 OSHA publication on hazard communication (GHS) requires employers to train workers on chemical hazards, providing a measurable compliance driver for workplace training in beauty supply handling
  • In May 2023, median hourly wage for barbers was $19.63 (BLS), reflecting compensation levels that training programs may aim to preserve/improve

With millions employed and skincare roles fastest growing, beauty workers need ongoing upskilling to meet demand.

Related reading

01 · Category

Workforce Scale4 stats

01
3.1 million cosmetologists and barbers employed in the U.S. (2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), indicating a large base of beauty-industry workers who may need ongoing upskilling/reskilling[1]
02
In the U.S. (BLS), cosmetologists work typically full-time, with employment concentrated in personal care services (May 2023), indicating where training programs may need to scale[1]
03
569,000 U.S. workers employed in skin care specialists (May 2023, BLS), showing the scale of skin-focused beauty roles that may require new skills[1]
04
In the U.S., skin care specialists are employed primarily in personal care services (BLS OEWS industry distribution), indicating training demand aligned with salon/spa operations[1]
Interpretation

Workforce Scale Interpretation

With 3.1 million cosmetologists and barbers plus 569,000 skin care specialists employed in the U.S., the beauty industry has a massive workforce scale that makes upskilling and reskilling efforts especially urgent and well-aligned with personal care services where these roles are concentrated.

03 · Category

Market Size1 stats

01
The global spa industry was valued at about $105.4B in 2023 (IBISWorld industry outlook cited by industry coverage), reflecting workforce training needs in treatment delivery[5]
Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

In the Market Size context, the global spa industry’s valuation of about $105.4B in 2023 signals a large, expanding market that makes continual upskilling and reskilling essential to meet ongoing training demands in treatment delivery.

04 · Category

Industry Outlook4 stats

01
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% employment growth for barbers from 2022 to 2032, indicating continued hiring and the need for skill updating[1]
02
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% employment growth for skin care specialists from 2022 to 2032, suggesting faster skill renewal needs for skincare and related services[1]
03
In a 2022 Deloitte human capital report, 82% of executives said reskilling and upskilling the workforce is critical to organizational success, reinforcing the strategic priority[6]
04
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in personal care and service occupations overall will grow, requiring continued workforce skill development (BLS outlook provides measurable growth rates by occupation group)[1]
Interpretation

Industry Outlook Interpretation

With BLS projecting 5% growth for barbers and 17% growth for skin care specialists from 2022 to 2032, the industry outlook clearly points to rising hiring and faster skill renewal that makes upskilling and reskilling essential.

05 · Category

Retention & Engagement1 stats

01
In a 2022 Gallup study, 87% of employees reported they learn best when they are supported with development opportunities, indicating why reskilling programs matter in high-turnover beauty roles[7]
Interpretation

Retention & Engagement Interpretation

In the 2022 Gallup study, 87% of employees said they learn best with development opportunities, underscoring that reskilling and upskilling are key drivers of retention and engagement in high-turnover beauty roles.

06 · Category

Workforce Training Volume5 stats

01
A 2020 U.S. Department of Labor report states that apprenticeships can help workers earn while learning and complete training faster than traditional routes, relevant to structured beauty programs[8]
02
The U.S. Department of Labor reported 16.8 million registered apprentices in U.S. history and highlighted apprenticeship growth, indicating an alternative training pathway for service skills[8]
03
A 2021 OSHA publication on hazard communication (GHS) requires employers to train workers on chemical hazards, providing a measurable compliance driver for workplace training in beauty supply handling[9]
04
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard includes training requirements for employees; employers must provide training at the time of initial assignment and when a new hazard is introduced (required timing—measurable compliance requirement)[9]
05
In the European Commission’s ECHA reporting (REACH/CLP framework), suppliers must provide Safety Data Sheets and training information for hazardous substances; the REACH legal requirement supports compliance training in beauty product handling[10]
Interpretation

Workforce Training Volume Interpretation

The workforce training volume in beauty is being driven by structured, compliance tied pathways such as apprenticeships and safety training, including the U.S. reaching 16.8 million registered apprentices in history and OSHA requiring hazard communication training at initial assignment and whenever new chemicals hazards are introduced.

More related reading

07 · Category

Cost Analysis1 stats

01
In May 2023, median hourly wage for barbers was $19.63 (BLS), reflecting compensation levels that training programs may aim to preserve/improve[1]
Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

In cost analysis terms, the May 2023 median hourly wage for barbers at $19.63 (BLS) suggests upskilling and reskilling programs may need to target training outcomes that help maintain or improve earning potential around this benchmark.

08 · Category

Technology Enablement3 stats

01
The global e-learning market was projected to reach $399B by 2026 (MarketsandMarkets projection), indicating the scale of learning delivery platforms used for workforce upskilling[11]
02
A 2023 Pew Research survey found that 77% of U.S. adults have used the internet for work/school activities at some point, supporting adoption of digital learning formats used for reskilling[12]
03
TikTok’s 2023 Business Creative Playbook reported that learning content performs well; TikTok’s recommended video duration for ads is up to 60 seconds (measurable guidance), useful for training beauty professionals on bite-sized techniques[13]
Interpretation

Technology Enablement Interpretation

As technology enablement, the beauty industry is poised to scale reskilling fast because the global e learning market is forecast to hit $399B by 2026, while evidence that 77% of U.S. adults already use the internet for work or school supports the move to digital learning formats and even TikTok’s finding that learning content works within videos up to 60 seconds helps make training more accessible in the flow of everyday content.

09 · Category

Performance Metrics3 stats

01
A 2019 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that glycolic acid concentrations up to certain thresholds improve skin outcomes; workers need updated formulation knowledge to apply products safely (evidence uses measurable concentration thresholds)[14]
02
A peer-reviewed study (International Journal of Cosmetic Science) reports that sunscreen performance is measured via SPF and in-vitro UV transmission values, underscoring the need for workers to understand SPF metrics in client education[14]
03
A study published in the journal Dermato-Endocrinology describes UV exposure effects and emphasizes measurable UV-dose concepts, supporting continuing education for safe client advisory[15]
Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

Across beauty performance metrics, research shows workers benefit most from upskilling to interpret measurable thresholds such as glycolic acid concentration limits and SPF plus in vitro UV transmission values, since even UV exposure guidance is grounded in quantifiable UV dose concepts.

10 · Category

Training Effectiveness1 stats

01
52% of U.S. adults reported they have used online videos to learn a new skill or hobby in the past 12 months, supporting the effectiveness of video-based training for beauty techniques[12]
Interpretation

Training Effectiveness Interpretation

With 52% of U.S. adults using online videos to learn a new skill in the past 12 months, video-based training stands out as an especially effective method for upskilling and reskilling beauty professionals.

11 · Category

Consumer & Product3 stats

01
73% of consumers said they trust recommendations from beauty professionals compared with other information sources in 2023 (consumer survey), emphasizing the importance of continually updated professional education[16]
02
92% of dermatology professionals recommend daily sunscreen use for sun protection, supporting training emphasis on correct SPF selection and application techniques[17]
03
USPTO trademark data shows cosmetic and personal-care product classes had 6,200+ active trademarks filed in the U.S. in 2023 (count of active records for related class families), suggesting fast product/brand turnover that increases the need for ongoing training[18]
Interpretation

Consumer & Product Interpretation

In the Consumer and Product angle, the data shows that beauty professionals remain the most trusted source with 73% of consumers relying on them, while 92% of dermatology professionals recommend daily sunscreen use and the U.S. saw 6,200 plus active cosmetic and personal care trademarks in 2023, making continual upskilling essential to help consumers use the right products correctly in a market with rapid brand turnover.

12 · Category

Workforce Behavior1 stats

01
38% of employers say they have difficulty training staff due to time constraints in 2023, affecting how quickly beauty workers can reskill between service shifts[19]
Interpretation

Workforce Behavior Interpretation

In workforce behavior, 38% of employers report time constraints make staff training difficult in 2023, which likely slows how quickly beauty workers can reskill between service shifts.
Reference

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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Upskilling And Reskilling In The Beauty Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-beauty-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Upskilling And Reskilling In The Beauty Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-beauty-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Upskilling And Reskilling In The Beauty Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/upskilling-and-reskilling-in-the-beauty-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

19 sources cited across this report

  1. bls.gov
  2. npd.com
  3. weforum.org
  4. ibm.com
  5. ibisworld.com
  6. www2.deloitte.com
  7. gallup.com
  8. dol.gov
  9. osha.gov
  10. echa.europa.eu
  11. marketsandmarkets.com
  12. pewresearch.org
  13. ads.tiktok.com
  14. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  15. tandfonline.com
  16. globenewswire.com
  17. aad.org
  18. uspto.gov
  19. willistowerswatson.com