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Other Cosmetology

Types of Degrees Other Cosmetology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Other Cosmetology have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	562
Master’s Degree	1,714

What Other Cosmetology Majors Need to Know

Programs in Other Cosmetology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Other Cosmetology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Other Cosmetology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 4.4 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Sales and Marketing — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Administration and Management — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 1.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills developed in a Other Cosmetology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Active Listening — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Service Orientation — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 2.5 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Other Cosmetology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 4 / 5; level 4 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Other Cosmetology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	4.3 / 7
Selling or Influencing Others	4.0 / 7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.0 / 7
Assisting and Caring for Others	3.9 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.9 / 7
Thinking Creatively	3.8 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.8 / 7
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	3.6 / 7
Getting Information	3.6 / 7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization	3.6 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Other Cosmetology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Sale processing software	Point of sale POS software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	—
Intuit QuickBooks	Accounting software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	—
YouTube	Video creation and editing software	—
Facebook	Web page creation and editing software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Apple iOS	Operating system software	—
Customer information databases	Data base user interface and query software	—
Appointment scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Other Cosmetology graduates include:

• Wig Dresser
• Cosmetician
• Electrologist
• Electrolysist
• Wig Stylist
• Hair Dresser
• Electrolysis Operator
• Hair Specialist
• Wedding Makeup Artist
• Men’s Custom Hair Piece Consultant
• Hair Designer
• Salon Stylist
• Wax Specialist
• Beauty Operator
• Beauty Advisor

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Other Cosmetology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Postsecondary certificate	79.0%
High school diploma or equivalent	20.9%
Some college courses	0.1%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Other Cosmetology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly female, with women earning 98.2% of Other Cosmetology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	2,451	98.2%
Men	46	1.8%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Other Cosmetology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	769	30.8%
Asian	47	1.9%
Hispanic or Latino	918	36.8%
Black or African American	595	23.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	16	0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	10	0.4%
Two or More Races	91	3.6%
Race Unknown	43	1.7%
International Students	8	0.3%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Other Cosmetology Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Other Cosmetology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$17,533
4 years	$20,210
5 years	$22,425

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $22,425 — roughly 28% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Other Cosmetology Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Other Cosmetology graduates earn a median of $20,210 four years after completion — about 47% below the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000). On earnings alone, this program does not show an income premium over the baseline; non-financial outcomes (career interests, certification requirements, advancement potential) are typically the stronger argument for fields in this range.

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services	12.04
Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist	12.0409
Barbering/Barber	12.0402
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor	12.0413
Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General	12.0401
Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician	12.0404
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist	12.0408
Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design	12.0407
Make-Up Artist/Specialist	12.0406
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician	12.0414
Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist	12.0410
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing	12.0411

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.