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Licensed cosmetologist vs beautician

The differences between licensed cosmetologists and beauticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a licensed cosmetologist and a beautician. Additionally, a beautician has an average salary of $36,831, which is higher than the $36,637 average annual salary of a licensed cosmetologist.

The top three skills for a licensed cosmetologist include retail sales, customer service and product sales. The most important skills for a beautician are cosmetology, skin care, and beauty services.

Licensed cosmetologist vs beautician overview

Licensed CosmetologistBeautician
Yearly salary$36,637$36,831
Hourly rate$17.61$17.71
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs52,74042,691
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a licensed cosmetologist do?

A Licensed Cosmetologist provides various services, such as hairstyling, skincare, nail treatments, and makeup. They are responsible for complying with health and safety standards.

What does a beautician do?

A Beautician is a person whose job is to do hair styling, manicures, and other beauty treatments. They work in various trades of the beauty industry, such as hair, skin, or nail care.

Licensed cosmetologist vs beautician salary

Licensed cosmetologists and beauticians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Licensed CosmetologistBeautician
Average salary$36,637$36,831
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $53,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityMontclair, NJChaska, MN
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyThe Lash LoungeMassachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between licensed cosmetologist and beautician education

There are a few differences between a licensed cosmetologist and a beautician in terms of educational background:

Licensed CosmetologistBeautician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Licensed cosmetologist vs beautician demographics

Here are the differences between licensed cosmetologists' and beauticians' demographics:

Licensed CosmetologistBeautician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 7.9% Female, 92.1%Male, 8.1% Female, 91.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 7.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 9.0% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between licensed cosmetologist and beautician duties and responsibilities

Licensed cosmetologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
  • Provide pedicure/manicure, skin care services, and dress wigs.
  • Provide all services - hair stylist, nails, make-up, coloring services, blow-outs, and up-do's.
  • Conduct DYI seminars on make-up application.
  • Maintain hair tools and salon instruments for salon cleanliness and compliance with cosmetology regulations.
  • Assist others hairstylist team members.
  • Show more

Beautician example responsibilities.

  • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
  • Perform makeup artist techniques that include wardrobe suggestions for magazine and local newspaper editorials.
  • Make up applications, formal styling's, cut, and color with Redken product's.

Licensed cosmetologist vs beautician skills

Common licensed cosmetologist skills
  • Retail Sales, 32%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Product Sales, 11%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 5%
  • Make-Up, 4%
  • Cosmetic Services, 3%
Common beautician skills
  • Cosmetology, 51%
  • Skin Care, 17%
  • Beauty Services, 4%
  • Beauty Shop, 4%
  • Client Appointments, 4%
  • Customer Service, 3%

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