Cosmetics Sales Representatives
Overview
Introduction
Cosmetics sales representatives, also known as makeup sales representatives and beauty advisers, demonstrate and sell beauty-care products. Representatives work from their homes as independent contractors, or they work in retail establishments where they are employees of the store as well as employees of a cosmetics company.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the median hourly wage was $16.19 for all retail sales workers in May 2023. A sales rep working full time at this pay rate would earn approximately $33,680 per year. The top 10 percent made $48,110, while the lowest 10 percent earned $23,740 that same year.
Beauty sales representatives who work in stores earned average salaries of $39,382 in 2024, acc...
Work Environment
Cosmetics representatives in retail stores usually work in attractive, climate-controlled settings. But the hours are long and they must be on their feet. There is a lot of bending and heavy boxes of stock to unload and display. They may not leave the sales floor except at specified times. Many stores have evening and Sunday hours, and breaks and lunch may go by the board in a crush of customer...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for all retail sales reps will show little or no change from 2023 to 2033. Despite this prediction, retail selling is such a huge industry that there are always openings to replace those leaving the field, but the hours are long and the wages start out very low.
While it is easy to get started in cosmetics sales, most who choose it wo...