Is beauty your passion? Would you like to know what career options are available in the beauty industry? Estheticians and cosmetologists are two of the most popular career choices in the beauty industry. It may come down to esthetician vs. cosmetologist if you consider beauty career options. Learn more about beauty industry careers here!
Estheticians specialize in analyzing and beautifying skin by performing facials, recommending skin care treatments, and analyzing the skin care needs of their clients. A cosmetologist is knowledgeable about hair, nails, skin, and skincare. Here is our breakdown of the job descriptions of aestheticians vs. cosmetologists if you’ve been considering a new beauty-related career.
What Does Esthetics Mean? | The Future of Skin Care & Rejuvenation

Estheticians are scientists, artists, and educators! Estheticians assist their clients in achieving their ideal skin. Your career as an esthetician could take you to places such as medical offices, salons, or spas. Some of your daily duties as an esthetician might include the following:
- Identifying the skin care needs of clients
- Providing clients with information about treatments and products
- Offering facials, skin care treatments, body wraps, pore cleansing, and exfoliation treatments.
In the next decade, skin care specialists are expected to grow 11 percent, giving you plenty of opportunities to advance in the field. As an esthetician, you must have excellent customer service skills. Being compassionate, empathetic, and attentive while pampering your client is essential. You could learn all of these skills and more in esthetician training classes.
What Does Cosmetology Entail? | The Potential Careers in Cosmetology

A cosmetologist is different from an esthetician. Cosmetology education and training might be better if you are more interested in improving your makeup skills or learning about hairstyling and coloring. Take advantage of your creative artistic side and focus on all things beauty with a career in cosmetology! Cosmetology offers numerous career opportunities. Among the possible careers for a cosmetologist are:
- Salons
- Resorts
- Hotels
- Spas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists will grow by 8 percent between 2018-2028. Cosmetologists must have strong customer service skills, and making your clients feel beautiful and respected is essential! You might be able to help people achieve the self-confidence they’ve always wanted by obtaining a cosmetology education or training.
Esthetician vs. Cosmetologist: How Do They Differ?
Which beauty career is right for you: esthetician or cosmetologist? Estheticians focus more on direct skin care. Estheticians do not cut or work on hair or nails, but cosmetologists do. You might work in similar environments, such as spas and salons, but their job descriptions differ. A career as an esthetician might be right for you if you are passionate about skincare and helping clients achieve their best skin.
A career in cosmetology could be the perfect fit for you if you are looking for a creative and artistic way to style hair, nails, and makeup. After completing 1500 clock hours of coursework, cosmetology students must take the licensure exam. Cosmetologists and estheticians must pass licensing exams before they can begin their careers. Once students have completed 780 hours of coursework, they are eligible to sit for a licensing exam.
It doesn’t matter which path you choose in the beauty industry; both cosmetologists and estheticians can achieve job satisfaction since they help their clients look and feel good about themselves! You don’t have to wait any longer to pursue your passion in the beauty industry.