I'm new...so a few questions.

[riddella]

Hi. My name is Alison and I'm from MD/DC area. I wanted to know how much usual counter sales pay. (MAC?) I am currently in school for make-up and aesthetics and I don't know which profession pays more. I've looked everywhere, and I love both so it doesnt matter which one I go with full-time. I currently work in an office and make 40+ a year so I wanted to obviously make the same when moving positions/careers.

Also, as far as the counters at Nordstrom and Macy's how does that compare to the MAC stores? (pay/benefits) Thanks a lot. I know really not supposed to discuss pay but if you could give me a ball park which career pays about what I'm making now that would be great.

 

[amoona]

I doubt anyone will even give you a ball park amount because we're not allowed to tell people what we get paid. Many people have asked before but nobody on here has ever said ... at least to my knowledge.

MAC pays very nicely though for retail and for a cosmetics counter. My friend worked for Lancome and made half of what I make at MAC.

As far as I know the only difference in MAC locations is at Nordstroms. Nordstroms makes commission and they follow Nordstroms dress code. That's really all that I know ... other girls who have worked for Nordstroms maybe able to tell you more information.

I know at Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Saks MAC has all control over their employees. That's really the major difference between those locations and a Nordstroms counter. Like at Bloomingdales I'm considered a MAC employee and slely a MAC employee ... but when I interviewed with the MAC counter at Nordstroms they told me I'd be a Nordstroms employee. We have basically no dress code at Bloomingdales as long as we're in all black and we're not lookin like hookers haha.

Other then that the interview process is the same and everything ... MAC hires you but with Nordstroms I believe you have to interview with the cosmetic manager but MAC has the final say-so and you still go through the MAC interview and the MAC demo.

Edit- I also forgot to mention that at Bloomingdales we have a $50 reservation fee ... so if someone wants to get their make-up done they are required to spend at least $50 and Nordstroms has no such requirement.

 

[riddella]

I was basically trying to get a ballpark against the 40+ I make at my other job so I dont look like an idiot if I'm asking for too much a year/hourly. Wasnt sure if I should stick with aesthetics or make-up artistry, cause my mortgage and bills still gotta get paid. I HATE OFFICES. Thanks again for your help. I would just let to get out of what I'm currently doing I just also need to make sure my bills get paid.

 

[amoona]

My best advice to you is to express those concerns during your interview, however they will most likely not tell you anything about salary until you are offered the position. That's how it was with me when I was hired as a freelancer and then again as a perm.

I make better then what I made in my office job but then again I live in California and work in downtown SF so the pay is probably different in every region.

 

[MisStarrlight]

Working as a regular artist at a MAC counter, even at full time (which is only 30 hrs/week) you will not beat your 40+k a year...MAC pays well, but not that well. I would imagine working in a salon would be better $ & honestly, a better job too.

If you're looking to keep in that range, you'll have to look elsewhere...unless you're going in as management, I don't have a clue what that pay is like.

 

[giz2000]

I agree...you will not make 40K/year as a MAC MA...unless you are in the mid to upper levels of management. You might make that much as an ethestician, depending on where you work.

 

[claresauntie]

At Nordstrom you make a base wage and commission on top of that (a particular percentage of your sales). And FT is upto 38 hours a week as a non-management person. My base wage is not what I thought it would be, but when we calculated out amounts that can be made with commission, based on scenarios that my manager gave me, it could get pretty nice.

 

[moyanita]

Hey Ladies,

So how does one properly negotiate salary if there's no point of reference? I'm just looking for a ball park figure as to what a licensed MUA should be expected to be compensated in the MD/DC metro area. Is it fair to say between $15-20? Just want to be prepared for that interview. Thanx ladies!

You're the best!

 

[moyanita]

Hey Ladies,

So how does one properly negotiate salary if there's no point of reference? I'm just looking for a ball park figure as to what a licensed MUA should be expected to be compensated in the MD/DC metro area. Is it fair to say between $15-20? Just want to be prepared for that interview. Thanx ladies!

You're the best!

 

[giz2000]

If you have no experience as an MA, you will most likely be paid the lowest rate (say, $15/hour). More experienced MAs (licensed or not) can get higher hourly rates. It is kind of difficult to find out what MA's make unless they are willing to tell you. You might want to ask what the payrange is with the particular line you want to work with and go from there...good luck and HTH!

 

[glamscientist]

I'm also very interested in what working for MAC has to offer. I am currently employed as a supervisor for a few cosmetic lines, but would MAC be better? I make decent money ( although I think it should be more ) and I get dental/health/vision insurance.

 

[kimmy]

when working in cosmetic retail, like at a counter, your pay is going to vary significantly depending on where you are and how busy your counter is. you will generally make a base wage (i believe for estee lauder, which owns mac, it's between $13-$17/hr...don't quote me though because i'm not positive) and comission.

my counter is one of the busiest in north america, and most of my mas have enough money to live on their own within the city (which means they're making $30k+/yr) but again, this is one of the busiest counters on the entire continent...so comission there is a huge factor.

i would suggest you look into getting a job at a salon or a photography studio if you're interested in making good money in the makeup industry though. you'll have a better chance of beating your current income at a salon or studio.