Wig stylist vs licensed cosmetologist

The differences between wig stylists and licensed cosmetologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a wig stylist and a licensed cosmetologist. Additionally, a licensed cosmetologist has an average salary of $36,637, which is higher than the $35,730 average annual salary of a wig stylist.

The top three skills for a wig stylist include wigs, sales floor and hair loss. The most important skills for a licensed cosmetologist are retail sales, customer service, and product sales.

Wig stylist vs licensed cosmetologist overview

	Wig Stylist	Licensed Cosmetologist
Yearly salary	$35,730	$36,637
Hourly rate	$17.18	$17.61
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	10,231	52,740
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	Associate Degree, 29%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Wig stylist vs licensed cosmetologist salary

Wig stylists and licensed cosmetologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Wig Stylist	Licensed Cosmetologist
Average salary	$35,730	$36,637
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $56,000	Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Montclair, NJ
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	The Lash Lounge
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between wig stylist and licensed cosmetologist education

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

	Wig Stylist	Licensed Cosmetologist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	Associate Degree, 29%
Most common major	Cosmetology	Cosmetology
Most common college	-	-

Wig stylist vs licensed cosmetologist demographics

Here are the differences between wig stylists' and licensed cosmetologists' demographics:

	Wig Stylist	Licensed Cosmetologist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%	Male, 7.9% Female, 92.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between wig stylist and licensed cosmetologist duties and responsibilities

Wig stylist example responsibilities.

Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
Provide beauty services such as shampooing, cutting, coloring and styling wigs.
Cut wigs and hair units to specify length and style, using scissors and razors.
Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.
Provide hairstylist services/professional makeup/manicures/pedicures and modeling.

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.

Wig stylist vs licensed cosmetologist skills

Common wig stylist skills

Wigs, 62%
Sales Floor, 21%
Hair Loss, 17%

Common licensed cosmetologist skills

Retail Sales, 32%
Customer Service, 15%
Product Sales, 11%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%
Make-Up, 4%
Cosmetic Services, 3%