Cosmetologist vs Physical Therapist

Side-by-side license comparison

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

Quick Verdict

Higher Earning

Physical Therapist

Easier to Obtain

Cosmetologist

Lower Fee

Cosmetologist

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Physical Therapist
Category	Personal Care	Healthcare
Median Salary	$37,630	$99,710
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$313
Difficulty	Low	High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	DPT (3 years post-bachelor)
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	NPTE
Time to License	9-24 months	7 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	30 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Salary Comparison

Cosmetologist

Median Salary$37,630

Avg Salary$37,630

Avg License Fee$128

Physical Therapist

Median Salary$99,710

Avg Salary$99,710

Avg License Fee$313

Physical Therapist earns $62,080 more per year on average. Over a 10-year career span, that adds up to approximately $620,800 in additional earnings.

Explore Each Occupation

CosmetologistView all 53 state requirements Physical TherapistView 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 Physical Therapist?

Physical Therapist has a higher median salary at $99,710 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $62,080 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Physical Therapist?

Cosmetologist licensing is rated Low difficulty, while Physical Therapist is rated High. Cosmetologist requires 1000-2100 hours training and typically takes 9-24 months, compared to DPT (3 years post-bachelor) and 7 years for Physical Therapist.

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Physical Therapist?

Physical Therapist has a higher average initial fee of $313, while Cosmetologist averages $128 — a difference of $185.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Physical Therapist?

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

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Physical Therapist?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Physical Therapist takes 7 years. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.

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Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Physical Therapist
Category	Personal Care	Healthcare
Median Salary	$37,630	$99,710
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$313
Difficulty	Low	High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	DPT (3 years post-bachelor)
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	NPTE
Time to License	9-24 months	7 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	30 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53