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Nail technician vs beautician

The differences between nail technicians and beauticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a beautician has an average salary of $36,831, which is higher than the $30,503 average annual salary of a nail technician.

The top three skills for a nail technician include work ethic, customer service and cleanliness. The most important skills for a beautician are cosmetology, skin care, and beauty services.

Nail technician vs beautician overview

Nail TechnicianBeautician
Yearly salary$30,503$36,831
Hourly rate$14.66$17.71
Growth rate22%11%
Number of jobs9,11542,691
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 28%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4340
Years of experience-2

What does a nail technician do?

Nail technicians are beauty specialists that provide grooming services to a client's fingernails and toenails. They are trained proficiently in filling, cleaning, and grooming as well as various nail treatments. They can either work in salons, nail studios, spas, or can be self-employed. Their duties include providing high-quality manicures and pedicures, applying artificial nails, and recommending different nail art and designs to the client. Also, they advise clients on proper nail care and provide quality hand and foot massages. Additionally, they ensure that the nail instruments and equipment are sanitized, and work stations are neat and orderly.

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.

Nail technician vs beautician salary

Nail technicians and beauticians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nail TechnicianBeautician
Average salary$30,503$36,831
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $53,000Between $24,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYChaska, MN
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyJ.F. Shea CoMassachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between nail technician and beautician education

There are a few differences between a nail technician and a beautician in terms of educational background:

Nail TechnicianBeautician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 28%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Nail technician vs beautician demographics

Here are the differences between nail technicians' and beauticians' demographics:

Nail TechnicianBeautician
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 16.0% Female, 84.0%Male, 8.1% Female, 91.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 51.7% White, 30.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage5%12%

Differences between nail technician and beautician duties and responsibilities

Nail technician example responsibilities.

  • Diagnose and repair pool/spa equipment including pumps, heaters, and electrical circuits -repair plumbing -test water quality for pools/spas
  • Apply facials and make up.
  • Apply top, bottom, and finishing coats.
  • Plumb pool and hot tub equipment using PVC.
  • Confer with management to resolve problems and coordinate activities.
  • Skin care: facials, microdermabrasion, peels, lymphatic drainage, waxing.
  • 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.

Nail technician vs beautician skills

Common nail technician skills
  • Work Ethic, 14%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Cosmetology, 10%
  • TIP, 6%
  • Repeat Business, 5%
Common beautician skills
  • Cosmetology, 51%
  • Skin Care, 17%
  • Beauty Services, 4%
  • Beauty Shop, 4%
  • Client Appointments, 4%
  • Customer Service, 3%

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