Cosmetologist vs Security Guard

Side-by-side license comparison

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

Quick Verdict

Higher Earning

Cosmetologist

Easier to Obtain

Tie

Lower Fee

Security Guard

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Security Guard
Category	Personal Care	Public Safety
Median Salary	$37,630	$36,970
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$74
Difficulty	Low	Low
Education	1000-2100 hours training	Guard Training (8-40 hours)
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	State Guard Card Exam
Time to License	9-24 months	1-2 weeks
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	8 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	35 of 53

Salary Comparison

Cosmetologist

Median Salary$37,630

Avg Salary$37,630

Avg License Fee$128

Security Guard

Median Salary$36,970

Avg Salary$36,970

Avg License Fee$74

Cosmetologist earns $660 more per year on average. Over a 10-year career span, that adds up to approximately $6,600 in additional earnings.

Explore Each Occupation

CosmetologistView all 53 state requirements Security GuardView 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 Security Guard?

Cosmetologist has a higher median salary at $37,630 per year, compared to $36,970 for Security Guard — a difference of $660 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Security Guard?

Cosmetologist licensing is rated Low difficulty, while Security Guard is rated Low. Cosmetologist requires 1000-2100 hours training and typically takes 9-24 months, compared to Guard Training (8-40 hours) and 1-2 weeks for Security Guard.

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Security Guard?

Cosmetologist has a higher average initial fee of $128, while Security Guard averages $74 — a difference of $54.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Security Guard?

Cosmetologist requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Security Guard requires it in 35 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Security Guard?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Security Guard takes 1-2 weeks. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.