Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cosmetology instructors and vocational instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a cosmetology instructor and a vocational instructor. Additionally, a cosmetology instructor has an average salary of $45,344, which is higher than the $41,610 average annual salary of a vocational instructor.
The top three skills for a cosmetology instructor include classroom management, clinic floor and syllabus. The most important skills for a vocational instructor are plumbing, course objectives, and developmental disabilities.
| Cosmetology Instructor | Vocational Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,344 | $41,610 |
| Hourly rate | $21.80 | $20.00 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 24,434 | 37,084 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Cosmetology Instructor is trained to teach a variety of skills used by hairstylists, manicurists, makeup artists, and other workers in the beauty industry. They teach students from vocational and technical schools how to perform cosmetology practices.
Depending on their field of specialization, a vocational instructor is usually found working in secondary schools, technical schools, or other training institutions. Their major duty is to teach students a specific trade or occupation. Their responsibility is to teach a particular subject that can immediately be applied to a specific field or job. They are also expected to provide guidance to students and assist them with placement, aside from teaching them in the classroom.
Cosmetology instructors and vocational instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cosmetology Instructor | Vocational Instructor | |
| Average salary | $45,344 | $41,610 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $64,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Roseville, MI | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Porter and Chester Institute | New York State Restaurant Association |
| Best paying industry | Education | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a cosmetology instructor and a vocational instructor in terms of educational background:
| Cosmetology Instructor | Vocational Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Cosmetology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between cosmetology instructors' and vocational instructors' demographics:
| Cosmetology Instructor | Vocational Instructor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.2% Female, 90.8% | Male, 49.4% Female, 50.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |