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Stylist vs nail technician

The differences between stylists and nail technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a stylist has an average salary of $37,985, which is higher than the $30,503 average annual salary of a nail technician.

The top three skills for a stylist include good time management, POS and data entry. The most important skills for a nail technician are work ethic, customer service, and cleanliness.

Stylist vs nail technician overview

StylistNail Technician
Yearly salary$37,985$30,503
Hourly rate$18.26$14.66
Growth rate11%22%
Number of jobs49,2969,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 28%
Average age4043
Years of experience2-

What does a stylist do?

A stylist is responsible for providing fashion advice, choosing the appropriate clothing for models, maintaining the fashion style, and supervising photoshoots. Stylists must always be updated with the latest fashion trends for recommendations. A stylist must have excellent communication skills to connect with various brand management and fashion stores for purchasing items or inquiring about clothing collections. In some cases, stylists are usually consulted by a team of the fashion brand to give inputs on the appropriate style, including color schemes and overall design.

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.

Stylist vs nail technician salary

Stylists and nail technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

StylistNail Technician
Average salary$37,985$30,503
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $17,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityDenver, CONew York, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyColumbia International UniversityJ.F. Shea Co
Best paying industryHospitalityHealth Care

Differences between stylist and nail technician education

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

StylistNail Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 28%
Most common majorCosmetologyCosmetology
Most common college--

Stylist vs nail technician demographics

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

StylistNail Technician
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 13.6% Female, 86.4%Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage12%5%

Differences between stylist and nail technician duties and responsibilities

Stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage salon, payroll, purchasing and inventory utilizing corporate policies.
  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Perform general receptionist tasks such as answering phones, using POS system, handling money transactions, and scheduling appointments.
  • Create personal``Lookbooks"for clients through social media.
  • Assist in marketing and social media via Instagram, Facebook and USD club meetings.
  • Contract great clips for service to hire temps on a temporary basis to assist shifts salons need.
  • Show more

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

Stylist vs nail technician skills

Common stylist skills
  • Good Time Management, 14%
  • POS, 11%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Excellent Training, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
Common nail technician skills
  • Work Ethic, 14%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Cosmetology, 10%
  • TIP, 6%
  • Repeat Business, 5%

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