Cosmetologist vs Teacher (K-12)

Side-by-side license comparison

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

Quick Verdict

Higher Earning

Teacher (K-12)

Easier to Obtain

Cosmetologist

Lower Fee

Cosmetologist

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Teacher (K-12)
Category	Personal Care	Education
Median Salary	$37,630	$65,090
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$199
Difficulty	Low	High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	Bachelor's + Student Teaching
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	Praxis or State Test
Time to License	9-24 months	4-5 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 5 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	60 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Salary Comparison

Cosmetologist

Median Salary$37,630

Avg Salary$37,630

Avg License Fee$128

Teacher (K-12)

Median Salary$65,090

Avg Salary$65,090

Avg License Fee$199

Teacher (K-12) earns $27,460 more per year on average. Over a 10-year career span, that adds up to approximately $274,600 in additional earnings.

Explore Each Occupation

CosmetologistView all 53 state requirements Teacher (K-12)View 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 Teacher (K-12)?

Teacher (K-12) has a higher median salary at $65,090 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $27,460 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Teacher (K-12)?

Cosmetologist licensing is rated Low difficulty, while Teacher (K-12) is rated High. Cosmetologist requires 1000-2100 hours training and typically takes 9-24 months, compared to Bachelor's + Student Teaching and 4-5 years for Teacher (K-12).

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Teacher (K-12)?

Teacher (K-12) has a higher average initial fee of $199, while Cosmetologist averages $128 — a difference of $71.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Teacher (K-12)?

Cosmetologist requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Teacher (K-12) requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Teacher (K-12)?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Teacher (K-12) takes 4-5 years. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Cosmetologist	Teacher (K-12)
Category	Personal Care	Education
Median Salary	$37,630	$65,090
Avg Initial Fee	$128	$199
Difficulty	Low	High
Education	1000-2100 hours training	Bachelor's + Student Teaching
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	Praxis or State Test
Time to License	9-24 months	4-5 years
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 5 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	8 hrs	60 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Cosmetologist or Teacher (K-12)?

Teacher (K-12) has a higher median salary at $65,090 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $27,460 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Cosmetologist or a Teacher (K-12)?

Which license costs more: Cosmetologist or Teacher (K-12)?

Teacher (K-12) has a higher average initial fee of $199, while Cosmetologist averages $128 — a difference of $71.

Do all states require a license for Cosmetologist and Teacher (K-12)?

Cosmetologist requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Teacher (K-12) requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Cosmetologist or Teacher (K-12)?

Cosmetologist typically takes 9-24 months from start to licensure, while Teacher (K-12) takes 4-5 years. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.