I have a question about fair pay rate for electrologist’s working for employer, either pay by hour or commission.
I am a fairly new electrologist and am getting almost 30% commission. I can’t help but feel this is rather low since estheticians/hairdressers get min. 45-55% (higher if mobile) in my area. I was also offered at another place minimum wage or mid-twenties commission. If this is normal, I see why people leave to be self-employed.
On many days I make less than minimum wage due to cancellations/gaps/and day not being full. My employer see’s my pay cheque’s and must know what a struggle it is to live on what I get. I have some months where my schedule is full, but the income is still not enough for rent/bills.
When you first started out working for someone else, was making minumum wage the norm? If so, how long did it take until you made a decent living? I know of a electrologist who is working for an employer and is making hourly wage (not commission) of mid-twenties. Is that unusual?
Well, all this depends. A 30% commission sounds fair if the employer is paying for your supplies, malpractice insurance, advertising, communication expenses, credit card expenses and you have no rent expenses. If you have access to common space, such as a restroom, kitchen and waiting room for your clients and good parking options in a safe area, then 30% sounds about right.
When I worked in a doctors office, I paid them 40% and I kept 60%. I paid for everyhthing related to my business, except credit card expenses. There were no benefits, no paid vacation or health care or disability, which bothered me none as I had health insurance and I don’t need vacation time.
It was a good way to build my pratice in those early days and not have fixed expenses with rent. That can be a killer if you have gaps and cancellations. My schedule was not dependable enough to make fixed rental payments, so a percentage option was very attractive. If I did that today, I would be paying “the man” far more than he/she deserved. It would be a true imbalance and I would have to seek a mental examination.
When I first entered the field, over 20 years ago, I worked for other electrologists. The split everywhere was 50-50.
Consider the following: The overhead to run the business can be several thousands monthly. You might find a more economical situation if you rent a small space in a salon. If you are ready to find your own space and open up your own office, do it. If you can’t, then use your current opportunity to LEARN.
One of the offices I worked at used Fisher Blend and needles that I had not encountered before (Laurier bulbous probes). I learned, I questioned, I opened up my mind to different methods and I was exposed to how a very successful business-woman handled her clients as I also discovered different suppliers. I learned how to process credit card payments; I developed relationships with all of the referring physicians…
I also worked for others; among them, one who used antiquated equipment yet was very successful because of the great marketing sourced.
At each place I worked, I signed non-compete agreements and maintained good relationships with every electrologist I ever worked for. I know for a fact that some electrologists actually lured busines away from their employers even with the signed agreements. Employers take all of the business risks.
As someone who was in your place a couple of decades ago, I have seen the great opportunity in learning. Establish the goal to learn and eventually set up your own business and perhaps this perspective will keep you temporarily poor but at least, happy with your long and short term goals.
I would have to say that the relative fairness of your situation depends on things that are not in evidence here. The amount of training you need, or are getting from your employer goes to your fitness to make more either on your own, or in your current situation. The amount of the employer’s resources you are in fact relying on is a consideration as well. It is one thing to get a lower percentage because you are using all the employer’s equipment and supplies, and even relying on the employer to drum up business, and book appointments. It is quite another thing to be coming into the door with your own equipment, and using your own supplies, and maybe having your own customers, that you brought into the business, and booking your own appointments.
I once had a dispute where I was substituting for someone else (no good deed goes unpunished) and that person wanted me to pay her a percentage of work done on a client who was flying in to see me at her office. Well, let’s see, I was only there to do her a favor, otherwise this appointment would have been done at my place, several states away. I was using my own equipment, including my own table and supplies (She had no equipment that I would settle for using) and on top of all this, she had not paid me either the travel expenses for helping her out, nor much of anything else we had agreed upon up front. Most of the clients she had booked cancelled instead of “taking a chance” on someone they did not know, so her bookings that I was working for her were nothing like she had expected. I don’t know how she could have thought that it would be fair that I should have shared any part of this particular appointment, as it had absolutely nothing to do with her business, and the alternative was for me to go home in time to perform the appointment at my own office.
But here is the difference. I had an office to go home to. If you have your own stuff, and you can drum up some business, most practitioners find that they can replace their paycheck with 40 billable hours a month. Of course, then, it is all on you to keep everything going.
Think about what you are bringing to the situation, and what you are taking out of the situation. If you still think you are on the short end of the stick, you need to work towards finding out if you are incorrect, or if you are able to make a break and do better on your own.
Thanks everyone for your feedback, it’s great to hear both sides. I figured there might be more contraversy since lots of electrologist’s have been both employee and employer, but so far so good.
My situation is that the employer supplies all. I supply my body to fill her chair and work on her clients This is very common for the esthetic field as well. Esthetic services need a ton more product, supplies and multiple insurance options for all the different services, yet the worker’s get a higher commission rate (plus tips). I was getting the same commission rate for laser services that I’m getting now for electrolysis. So I was alittle surprised when I saw how low the commission rate is for this industry. Also, maybe I was disillusioned from the fact that the 1st place I worked at, the electrologist was getting paid 18$ an hour and now is paid higher.
I completely appreciate all the experience and lesson’s learned from the 3 employers I worked for (that include electrolysis in their biz). I really want to be in this industry and that’s why I took a pay cut to gain more experience. I have to say I didnt expect this low a wage since I was promised more when I took the job. Turned out the commission didnt include taxes from the service and so the commission went down to mid twenties. I often open and close, return calls and clean/restock without pay. Man, if I’m gonna live below the poverty line I might as well at least be a business owner Ah well, one day…
But credit cards are now maxed, thousands of $ borrowed from family and I’m starting to think I’ve got sucker taped to my back. The popluation of working electrologists have gone down due to retiring and the majority of schools have shut down. All of my employers are looking for another electrologist since they were turning away clients. Yet the pay is the kicker.
Actually, I would say that if you could see your way clear to get a modest machine, treatment table, (dare I say it) circle lamp, and some sterilization equipment, you could, in your spare time, build the business that will soon replace your current employer.
I would also point out that if you have made yourself as useful as you say, and have worked for some time, your employer should entertain some additional money for your other services.
Some places do offer their workers a daily guarantee, so that on those days when clients no-show appointments, the worker is not stuck reading the newspaper and not getting paid.
Here in the US, even if you show up for work, and they say, oops, there is no work to do today, your machine is broken, they still have to pay you for showing up.
This is very common for the esthetic field as well. Esthetic services need a ton more product, supplies and multiple insurance options for all the different services, yet the worker’s get a higher commission rate (plus tips). I was getting the same commission rate for laser services that I’m getting now for electrolysis. So I was alittle surprised when I saw how low the commission rate is for this industry. Also, maybe I was disillusioned from the fact that the 1st place I worked at, the electrologist was getting paid 18$ an hour and now is paid higher.
Ah well, one day…