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Cosmetologist vs hair assistant

The differences between cosmetologists and hair assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cosmetologist and a hair assistant. Additionally, a cosmetologist has an average salary of $37,122, which is higher than the $36,693 average annual salary of a hair assistant.

The top three skills for a cosmetologist include TIP, customer service and retail sales. The most important skills for a hair assistant are schedule appointments, cleanliness, and customer service.

Cosmetologist vs hair assistant overview

CosmetologistHair Assistant
Yearly salary$37,122$36,693
Hourly rate$17.85$17.64
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs45,88934,394
Job satisfaction2-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Cosmetologist vs hair assistant salary

Cosmetologists and hair assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

CosmetologistHair Assistant
Average salary$37,122$36,693
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $53,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityDuluth, MN-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyAnthony-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between cosmetologist and hair assistant education

There are a few differences between a cosmetologist and a hair assistant in terms of educational background:

CosmetologistHair Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Cosmetologist vs hair assistant demographics

Here are the differences between cosmetologists' and hair assistants' demographics:

CosmetologistHair Assistant
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 7.4% Female, 92.6%Male, 9.7% Female, 90.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between cosmetologist and hair assistant duties and responsibilities

Cosmetologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
  • Provide basic nail care service, sculpture nail and tip applications, oil and water pedicures
  • Apply sculptured nails, tip overlays, overlays, wraps, gel nails, manicures, and pedicures.
  • Used POS systems and software to track clients personal profiles.
  • Skil and master numerous techniques in the coloring field of cosmetology.
  • Present new products and selling products to customers using a pos system
  • Show more

Hair assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
  • Maintain cleanliness of professional manicuring area.
  • Follow established standards of safety and cleanliness.
  • Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.
  • Work part-time as a natural hair stylist offering braid styles and natural styles
  • Perform cosmetology services on clients-scheduling appointments-Inventory

Cosmetologist vs hair assistant skills

Common cosmetologist skills
  • TIP, 21%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Retail Sales, 11%
  • Spa Services, 6%
  • Hair Color, 5%
  • Clips, 5%
Common hair assistant skills
  • Schedule Appointments, 51%
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Front Desk, 7%
  • Make-Up, 5%
  • Departmental Policies, 3%

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