Do you like to help people feel better physically and mentally? Do you enjoy pampering people or helping manage their pampering experience? Do you have a talent in making people look their best? You could have a promising career as a spa manager! Read on for details:

Job Overview

In addition to providing some esthetic services themselves, spa managers provide human resources support and oversee the work of estheticians, massage therapists and cosmetologists in a beauty or health spa, a salon or a medical office, as well as providing business support such as advertising, accounting, recording inventory and reordering supplies, customer service and an

assortment of other tasks. They also take on some retail sales tasks, suggesting and promoting a variety of products in their shop.

Requirements and Qualifications

All states except Connecticut require an esthetician, cosmologist or massage therapist to be licensed through the administration of a state exam. Managers are expected to have a certain amount of experience in the business prior to taking on a managerial role. Because many clients may not be able to make appointments during the day, some night and weekend work is typically required. This position requires long hours on your feet while performing services and assisting customers. Qualities that are important to develop for this role include customer service, communication, managerial, interpersonal, leadership and technical skills as well as being detail oriented and building stamina.

Typical Education

Spa managers are required to finish a cosmetology or esthetician program approved by the state or states they wish to work in. The courses for these programs are typically offered in a post-secondary vocational school. Spa managers may find it helpful to take some additional business courses to better prepare them for a management position. After completing school, it is expected that spa managers will update their skills and knowledge in continuing education courses, conferences and practical work applications.

Steps to Becoming a Spa Manager

After completing an educational program, all states except Connecticut require a state licensing examination. Once this is passed and you have found a job, some on-the-job training is typically received, especially when working with chemicals or providing services in a medical environment. Some amount of experience in the industry is usually required before becoming a manager, with some additional coursework in accounting, business and marketing preparing you for a management position and the additional responsibilities it entails.

Similar Jobs

Don’t want to be in charge? Maybe this just isn’t quite what you’re looking for. There are many more career paths similar to this one, read on to explore them:

• Do you like to play with hair? Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists wash, condition, chemically process, cut, dry and style hair.
• Are you good with paint in small doses? Manicurists and pedicurists trim, file, clean and polish or buff nails, consider treatments and moisturize hands and feet.
• Do you have people lining up for backrubs? Massage therapists help increase wellness by manipulating muscles to increase relaxation, loosen tight muscles and relieve pain.

Salary

The average pay in May 2010 was $13.10 per hour for spa managers, with physician’s offices and recreation and amusement sectors paying significantly higher. They usually work full-time hours, with some night and weekend work to better accommodate clients. Managers running their own spa usually work long hours.

Job Outlook

Increases in spa businesses makes this career a great one to get into! With a 25% growth in opportunities over the next ten years, this career path is growing faster than the average rate of job growth at 14% over the same time period. This increase in spa businesses makes the prospects for spa managers good, with experienced manager having the best possibilities.