Starting a career in the beauty industry is quite an exciting journey. However, one of the biggest questions aspiring professionals face is “which path should I choose?”. The “cosmetologist vs esthetician vs barber” dilemma has always puzzled and captivated aspiring beauty professionals. Each profession offers unique perks, work environments and career possibilities. Today, we’re going to explore the differences and similarities among these options so you can easily decide which path suits you best.
Understanding the Roles: Cosmetology vs Esthetics vs Barbering
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to understand the main role of these professions.
A cosmetologist is a versatile beauty expert. Cosmetologists are trained in hair cutting, coloring, styling, makeup and some areas related to skin and nail care.
An esthetician specializes primarily in skincare treatments. The services they offer include facials, waxing and various body therapies, all focus on enhancing the health and appearance of skin.
A barber traditionally works with men’s grooming, offering haircuts, beard trims, shaves, and scalp treatments, often in a barbershop environment with its own culture and community vibe.
So, obviously there is some overlap. However, each role brings its own focus and skill set and a client base that’s specifically interesting in their respective services.
People pay for the expertise, so knowing the strengths of each of these professions will help you determine which may be a better fit for you.
| Profession | Main Focus | Key Services | Common Workplaces | Best Fit For |
| Cosmetologist | Broad beauty services | Haircutting, coloring, styling, makeup, basic nails, some skincare | Salons, spas, resorts, freelance | Those who want variety and versatility in beauty services |
| Esthetician | Skincare health & treatments | Facials, waxing, body treatments, makeup, skincare education | Day spas, medical spas, dermatology clinics | Those passionate about skin health and therapy |
| Barber | Men’s grooming | Haircuts, beard trims, shaves, scalp treatments | Barbershops, men’s salons | Those who enjoy men’s styles and a barbershop atmosphere |
What Does a Cosmetologist Do?
Cosmetologists are the ultimate multitaskers in the beauty world. Their training covers a broad range of services, including:
Cosmetologists are the ultimate multitaskers when it comes to beauty services. Their training is designed to cover a wide range of services and treatments. So, if you want to become a “jack of all trades”, a cosmetology career can be an excellent choice. As a cosmetologist you’ll get to work on:
- Haircutting and styling for all hair types
- Hair coloring and chemical treatments
- Makeup application
- Basic Manicures and pedicures
- Some skincare treatments such as waxing or facial masks
Because of this diversity, cosmetologists find it easy to work in a variety of settings, including salons, spas, luxury resorts. Some even go on working as full-time freelancers, performing their services for events or photo shoots.
The ability to offer multiple services makes cosmetologists highly adaptable in a very competitive beauty industry.
So, if you love working with hair and makeup but you also want the flexibility to dabble in other beauty services, cosmetology may be your perfect match.
👉 Interested in learning more about how to start your career? Check out our cosmetology program!
What Does an Esthetician Do?
Now, if you’re fascinated by topics such as skin health and skincare and you want to specialize in advanced treatments designed to rejuvenate and beautify the skin, becoming an esthetician could be ideal.
As an esthetician you’ll get to perform a variety of services related to the skin, including:
- Facials, including cleansing, exfoliation and hydration
- Hair removal services such as waxing and threading
- Makeup application, especially for special events or corrective purposes
- Body treatments like wraps and scrubs
- Educating clients on skincare routines and product use
Generally, most estheticians work in day spas, medical spas, wellness centers and even dermatology offices. This line of work requires a very strong knowledge of skin biology as well as a passion for helping clients correct their skin issues and improve their confidence.
👉 Our esthetics program provides expert training on both the science and artistry behind skincare.
What Does a Barber Do?
When it comes to men’s grooming, barbers are the most in-demand professionals. Hair cutting for men requires in-depth knowledge on specific haircuts and techniques, therefore, if you’re interested in working in this field, becoming a barber is the only way to go.
As a barber you’ll be able to offer a variety of services on haircutting, shaving and beard maintenance, including:
- Classic and modern haircuts
- Hot towel shaves and beard trims
- Scalp massages and treatments
- Styling men’s hair and facial hair for personal or professional looks
Barbershops are often more than service providers — they’re community hubs where clients build relationships with their barbers. This culture makes barbering a unique and fulfilling career.
Although a cosmetologist will be able to cut men’s hair, if you want to become a specialized professional and work in a barbershop, we recommend choosing the proper program.
👉 If you’re drawn to men’s grooming, our barber program offers hands-on training with experienced instructors to prepare you for this specialized career.
Cosmetologist vs Barber Salary: What You Should Know
Now, when choosing a career path, salary is a very important factor. Afterall, everyone wants to build a sustainable career. The good news is that all beauty careers offer a strong earning potential, especially considering the growing demand for specialized services.
Income will vary widely based on location, experience, marketing and specialization. Nevertheless, let’s make a general comparison.
Cosmetologist Salary
In the US, cosmetologists can typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually. On the other hand, top earners, for example highly specialized stylists, salon owners, or specialists in advanced treatments such as extensions or color techniques, make $60,000 or more.
The key is understanding the importance of specialization. If you’re able to offer premium or niche beauty services, you can always increase your income potential. This is why getting the proper training and education is so important.
Barber Salary
Barbers generally earn between $32,000 and $55,000 annually. Skilled and experienced professionals in high-demand urban areas or those with a loyal and consistent clientele can earn $65,000 or more.
Again premium grooming services such as beard sculpting, hot towel shaves, luxury styling will also significantly boost your earnings.
These numbers are approximate statistics, but they show that both of these career paths offer substantial income and room for growth.
Continuing education, building a strong client base and working on your entrepreneur and business skills are key.
Esthetician vs Cosmetologist Differences: Which Fits You Better?
One of the questions we get asked the most is “what’s the difference between an esthetician and cosmetologist?”. Although both these professionals work in the beauty industry, their daily tasks and main focus differ significantly.
Education requirements
Estheticians typically need to complete a slightly shorter program which is mainly focused on skincare. In Illinois, you need to complete a 750-hour training program.
Cosmetologists undergo longer and broader training (1500-hour in Illinois) which covers multiple beauty disciplines.
Daily Tasks
On a day to day basis, cosmetologists will split time between hair, nails and makeup. Your daily work will depend on the clients needs, so there’s a lot of variety.
Estheticians on the other hand focus exclusively on skincare treatments. On a typical day, as an esthetician you’ll perform consultations and specialized skin treatments.
Career Trajectories
In most cases, estheticians choose to advance into medical aesthetics or specialize in areas like lash extensions or even permanent makeup.
On the other hand, cosmetologists often choose to broaden into salon management. Some of them go for the entrepreneurial route where they open their own businesses.
Choosing between the two depends on whether your passion lies more with hair and overall beauty or with skin health and therapy.
Which Beauty Career Path is Right for You? – Take Our Quiz!
Answer the questions below. Keep track of your choices: A, B or C. At the end, check out your results. This short fun quiz can help you reflect on your preferences and see which career path fits you best.
1. What excites you most about beauty work?
A: Transforming hair, makeup and nails. I love variety!
B: Improving skin health and giving clients glowing results.
C: Perfecting men’s haircuts, shaves and beard care.
2. Which work environment feels most appealing?
A: Busy salons, spas, resorts or freelance gigs.
B: Day spas, medical spas, dermatology offices or wellness centers.
C: Barbershops with a strong community vibe.
3. What type of daily tasks do you enjoy?
A: Multi-tasking between hair, makeup, nails and some skincare.
B: Performing facials, waxing, body treatments and skincare consultations.
C: Cutting hair, trimming beards, shaving and styling men’s hair.
4. How do you approach learning new skills?
A: I enjoy a broad range of skills. I want to be versatile.
B: I prefer specializing deeply in one area.
C: I want to master a focused skill set for a niche market.
5. What’s most important for your career satisfaction?
A: Creativity and variety in services.
B: Helping clients improve confidence and skin health.
C: Building strong client relationships in a community-oriented setting.
6. How do you envision your career growth?
A: Managing or owning a salon, freelancing or expanding services.
B: Specializing in medical aesthetics, skincare products or advanced treatments.
C: Running your own barbershop, mentoring apprentices or offering premium services.
7. Which client base excites you most?
A: A diverse mix of men and women for hair, makeup and nails.
B: Clients focused on skincare, beauty and self-care.
C: Men seeking expert grooming and styling services.
Your Results:
Mostly A’s → Cosmetologist
You thrive on variety and versatility! Cosmetologists work across hair, makeup, nails and some skincare. You’ll enjoy a fast-paced, creative career in salons, spas, resorts or freelance work.
Mostly B’s → Esthetician
Your passion lies in skin health and specialized treatments. Estheticians perform facials, waxing, body therapies and guide clients on skincare. A career in spas, wellness centers or dermatology offices is a perfect fit.
Mostly C’s → Barber
You enjoy men’s grooming and the barbershop culture. Barbers focus on haircuts, shaves, beard trims, and scalp treatments. You’ll thrive in community-focused barbershops and build loyal long-term clients.
At Cosmetology & Spa Academy, we provide guidance to help you make these decisions and support you throughout your education and career development.
Start Your New Journey
With more than 30 years of experience, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is committed to delivering top-quality beauty education. Our programs are designed to equip you with the best tools and skills for success.
Our campuses in Crystal Lake, Elgin, Rockford and Schaumburg offer a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, where students can build lasting friendships and learn from passionate instructors with years of experience in the field.
Contact us today at info@csa.edu or call 815-455-5900 to learn more or schedule a tour.
