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Makeup artist vs beautician

The differences between makeup artists and beauticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a makeup artist, becoming a beautician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a makeup artist has an average salary of $41,026, which is higher than the $36,831 average annual salary of a beautician.

The top three skills for a makeup artist include customer service, product knowledge and store events. The most important skills for a beautician are cosmetology, skin care, and beauty services.

Makeup artist vs beautician overview

Makeup ArtistBeautician
Yearly salary$41,026$36,831
Hourly rate$19.72$17.71
Growth rate17%11%
Number of jobs4,62042,691
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age3440
Years of experience122

What does a makeup artist do?

A makeup artist is a beauty enthusiast offering makeup services depending on the clients' needs and event purposes. Makeup artists must have a broad knowledge of the beauty and fashion industry to provide recommendations and create the best aesthetic looks for clients. Makeup artists also need to have an understanding of colors and styles, as well as extensive options on long-lasting makeup materials and cosmetic toolkits. A makeup artist in a professional setting often works alongside other stylists to manage the right looks for clients.

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.

Makeup artist vs beautician salary

Makeup artists and beauticians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Makeup ArtistBeautician
Average salary$41,026$36,831
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $77,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Chaska, MN
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Massachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between makeup artist and beautician education

There are a few differences between a makeup artist and a beautician in terms of educational background:

Makeup ArtistBeautician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Makeup artist vs beautician demographics

Here are the differences between makeup artists' and beauticians' demographics:

Makeup ArtistBeautician
Average age3440
Gender ratioMale, 11.8% Female, 88.2%Male, 8.1% Female, 91.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 13.6% White, 51.1% 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 makeup artist and beautician duties and responsibilities

Makeup artist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve all sales goals through close client contact and upselling techniques.
  • Manage social media outlets such as Instagram and Tumblr to reach a broader audience.
  • Experience hair stylist providing full range of customize hair care services including hair extensions, wigs and braids.
  • Support master classes in NYC.
  • Work in collaboration with key artist for fashion week NYC.
  • Silk-Screen t-shirts, work in stain glass, glassblower apprentice.
  • 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.

Makeup artist vs beautician skills

Common makeup artist skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Store Events, 9%
  • Photo Shoots, 9%
  • Skin Care Products, 5%
  • Retail Sales, 2%
Common beautician skills
  • Cosmetology, 51%
  • Skin Care, 17%
  • Beauty Services, 4%
  • Beauty Shop, 4%
  • Client Appointments, 4%
  • Customer Service, 3%

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