That number also rose among the resort/hotel sector, from
57 percent to 67 percent.
Although employees of resort/hotel spas continue to
earn more, on average, than their counterparts in other
types of spas, it seems clear that compensation levels
across the industry are more robust than ever. In addition,
the shift toward straight hourly pay plus a commission on
services for estheticians, massage therapists and nail
technicians signals a significant increase in potential
earning power for those groups.
Given the broad economic recovery since the Great On one hand, the industry’s overall growth to more
than $18 billion in 2018 and the record number of both
spas in operation (22,160) and spa visits (190 million) that
year suggest that the industry is booming despite an
estimated 28,420 unstaffed service provider positions.
On the other hand, the high level of demand we pre-
viously saw for skilled, experienced service providers may
explain why estheticians, massage therapists and nail
technicians are commanding higher wages.
Although those wages are certainly attractive to service
providers, reducing the number of unstaffed positions re-
Recession and the corresponding increase in spa visits
and revenues, a rise in wages and earning potential for
spa employees is perhaps not surprising. However, it never
hurts to sprinkle in a bit of caution among the good news.
Across the spa industry, the large number of unstaffed
positions may remain a source of concern, even after the
COVID-19 pandemic subsides. mains a key component of maintaining the overall health
of the spa industry. Given the steady rise in demand for
spa services in the U.S. and beyond (indicated by the rise
in number of visits and industry revenue), an ideal out-
come—one that sees the number of unstaffed positions
drop without a decline in wages, is still possible. n
2014 VS. 2019 COMPENSATION
98%
94%
RAISE
IN
2019
RAISE
IN
2019
96%
RAISE
IN
2019
81%
RAISE
IN
2019
74%
2
RAISE
IN
2019
38%
RAISE
IN
2019
IN 2014
86%
IN 2014
45%
of full-time spa directors in of full-time spa directors in
resort/hotel earned more than day spas earned more than
$60,000
$60,000
IN 2014 IN 2014 IN 2014 IN 2014
of spa managers earned
more than of estheticians earned
more than of massage therapists
earned more than of nail technicians earned
more than
$50,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000
27%
73%
70%
54%
1 Figures represent averages across all spa types.
2 Figures for full-time estheticians, massage therapists, and nail technicians only (gratuities included).
MAY 2020
■
PULSE
21