Hairstylist/cosmetologist vs colorist

The differences between hairstylist/cosmetologists and colorists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a hairstylist/cosmetologist and a colorist. Additionally, a hairstylist/cosmetologist has an average salary of $36,770, which is higher than the $34,792 average annual salary of a colorist.

The top three skills for a hairstylist/cosmetologist include scheduling appointments, makeup and salon services. The most important skills for a colorist are color correction, davinci resolve, and color theory.

Hairstylist/cosmetologist vs colorist overview

	Hairstylist/Cosmetologist	Colorist
Yearly salary	$36,770	$34,792
Hourly rate	$17.68	$16.73
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	43,193	42,160
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Hairstylist/cosmetologist vs colorist salary

Hairstylist/cosmetologists and colorists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hairstylist/Cosmetologist	Colorist
Average salary	$36,770	$34,792
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $53,000	Between $22,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Soothe	Adobe
Best paying industry	Technology	Media

Differences between hairstylist/cosmetologist and colorist education

There are a few differences between a hairstylist/cosmetologist and a colorist in terms of educational background:

	Hairstylist/Cosmetologist	Colorist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Cosmetology	Cosmetology
Most common college	-	-

Hairstylist/cosmetologist vs colorist demographics

Here are the differences between hairstylist/cosmetologists' and colorists' demographics:

	Hairstylist/Cosmetologist	Colorist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 8.6% Female, 91.4%	Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between hairstylist/cosmetologist and colorist duties and responsibilities

Hairstylist/cosmetologist example responsibilities.

Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
Work as a hairstylist, receptionist, sell retail and up sell services and products.
Apply make-up, dress wigs, learn customer's needs, provide fingernail treatments, and maintain clean work area.
Receive certification and start as hairstylist.
Maintain hair tools and salon instruments for salon cleanliness and compliance with cosmetology regulations.
Train and employ by Aveda, demonstrating the use of plant and flower sensory methodology.

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.

Hairstylist/cosmetologist vs colorist skills

Common hairstylist/cosmetologist skills

Scheduling Appointments, 17%
Makeup, 12%
Salon Services, 8%
Cosmetology, 7%
Front Desk, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common colorist skills

Color Correction, 13%
Davinci Resolve, 11%
Color Theory, 9%
Front Desk, 9%
Color Standards, 7%
Adobe Photoshop, 5%