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Colorist vs hair dresser

The differences between colorists and hair dressers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a colorist and a hair dresser. Additionally, a hair dresser has an average salary of $36,852, which is higher than the $34,792 average annual salary of a colorist.

The top three skills for a colorist include color correction, davinci resolve and color theory. The most important skills for a hair dresser are appointment scheduling, customer service, and product sales.

Colorist vs hair dresser overview

ColoristHair Dresser
Yearly salary$34,792$36,852
Hourly rate$16.73$17.72
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs42,16042,777
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Colorist vs hair dresser salary

Colorists and hair dressers have different pay scales, as shown below.

ColoristHair Dresser
Average salary$34,792$36,852
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $54,000Between $25,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyAdobe-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between colorist and hair dresser education

There are a few differences between a colorist and a hair dresser in terms of educational background:

ColoristHair Dresser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Colorist vs hair dresser demographics

Here are the differences between colorists' and hair dressers' demographics:

ColoristHair Dresser
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.7% Female, 56.3%Male, 6.1% Female, 93.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 8.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between colorist and hair dresser duties and responsibilities

Colorist example responsibilities.

  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Screened/Evaluat and HD DI color correct feature films, utilizing Autodesk Lustre for restoration.
  • Remastered archival feature footage to HD.
  • Perform DI on major feature films, commercial and special projects.
  • Navigate project through continually changing workflows VFX revisions and delivery specs.
  • Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.
  • Show more

Hair dresser example responsibilities.

  • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
  • Shampoo, style and color hair as well as advise clients about wigs.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair.
  • Assist in hair and make-up.
  • Apply make-up and cosmetics on clients.
  • Shape eyebrows using tweezers, creams.
  • Show more

Colorist vs hair dresser skills

Common colorist skills
  • Color Correction, 13%
  • Davinci Resolve, 11%
  • Color Theory, 9%
  • Front Desk, 9%
  • Color Standards, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%
Common hair dresser skills
  • Appointment Scheduling, 28%
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Product Sales, 8%
  • Curling Irons, 6%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Skin Care, 6%

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