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Hair stylist vs cosmetician

The differences between hair stylists and cosmeticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cosmetician has an average salary of $80,315, which is higher than the $38,221 average annual salary of a hair stylist.

The top three skills for a hair stylist include cosmetology, clips and kids. The most important skills for a cosmetician are customer service, merchandise displays, and skin care.

Hair stylist vs cosmetician overview

Hair StylistCosmetician
Yearly salary$38,221$80,315
Hourly rate$18.38$38.61
Growth rate11%1%
Number of jobs49,5789,011
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4038
Years of experience2-

Hair stylist vs cosmetician salary

Hair stylists and cosmeticians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hair StylistCosmetician
Average salary$38,221$80,315
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $51,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityScottsdale, AZ-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying company--
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between hair stylist and cosmetician education

There are a few differences between a hair stylist and a cosmetician in terms of educational background:

Hair StylistCosmetician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorCosmetologyBusiness
Most common college--

Hair stylist vs cosmetician demographics

Here are the differences between hair stylists' and cosmeticians' demographics:

Hair StylistCosmetician
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 2.8% Female, 97.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 6.2% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage12%6%

Differences between hair stylist and cosmetician duties and responsibilities

Hair stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
  • Manage product inventory for cosmetology products, place product orders, maintain the inventory.
  • Commission stylist, assist other stylists as well as cleaning and greeting guests.
  • Work extremely quickly and efficiently as a hairstylist to reach sales and productivity goals while maintaining exceptional customer service
  • Bleach, dye, or tint, using applicator or brush.
  • Specialize in braids, sew-ins, glue-ins, dreads, wraps, twist, and curls.
  • Show more

Cosmetician example responsibilities.

  • Administer make-up application to customers during cosmetic demonstrations
  • Administer make-up application to customers during cosmetic demonstrations

Hair stylist vs cosmetician skills

Common hair stylist skills
  • Cosmetology, 31%
  • Clips, 20%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Makeup, 6%
  • Retail Sales, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common cosmetician skills
  • Customer Service, 59%
  • Merchandise Displays, 16%
  • Skin Care, 7%
  • Cosmetic Products, 6%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%

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