Cosmetologist vs Dentist

Side-by-side license comparison

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Quick Verdict

Higher Earning

Dentist

Easier to Obtain

Cosmetologist

Lower Fee

Cosmetologist

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Dentist
Category	Personal Care	Healthcare
Median Salary	$37,630	$170,910
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$498
Difficulty	Low	Very High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	DDS/DMD (4 years post-bachelor)
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	NBDE Parts I & II + Regional/State
Time to License	9-24 months	8 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	40 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Salary Comparison

Cosmetologist

Median Salary$37,630

Avg Salary$37,630

Avg License Fee$128

Dentist

Median Salary$170,910

Avg Salary$170,910

Avg License Fee$498

Dentist earns $133,280 more per year on average. Over a 10-year career span, that adds up to approximately $1,332,800 in additional earnings.

Explore Each Occupation

CosmetologistView all 53 state requirements DentistView all 53 state requirements

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Dentist has a higher median salary at $170,910 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $133,280 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Dentist?

Cosmetologist licensing is rated Low difficulty, while Dentist is rated Very High. Cosmetologist requires 1000-2100 hours training and typically takes 9-24 months, compared to DDS/DMD (4 years post-bachelor) and 8 years for Dentist.

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Dentist has a higher average initial fee of $498, while Cosmetologist averages $128 — a difference of $370.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Dentist?

Cosmetologist requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Dentist requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Dentist takes 8 years. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.

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Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Dentist
Category	Personal Care	Healthcare
Median Salary	$37,630	$170,910
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$498
Difficulty	Low	Very High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	DDS/DMD (4 years post-bachelor)
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	NBDE Parts I & II + Regional/State
Time to License	9-24 months	8 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	40 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Dentist has a higher median salary at $170,910 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $133,280 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Dentist?

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Dentist has a higher average initial fee of $498, while Cosmetologist averages $128 — a difference of $370.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Dentist?

Cosmetologist requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Dentist requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Dentist?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Dentist takes 8 years. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.