Would a massage therapist get paid more than a cosmetologist?

I'm undecided in what career I am planning to go for. So please HELP!Would a massage therapist get paid more than a cosmetologist?
I am dual-licensed as a massage practitioner and cosmetologist. I am self-employed and make about the same money per hour with both. Working for yourself you can bring home $40-70 per hour with either one if you establish yourself as a skilled professional.





The state where I live requires only 500 hours of school for massage and 1,500 for cosmetology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average massage therapist makes $16.06 per hour and the average cosmetologist makes $10.25. So massage requires 1/3 of the education but pays more!





Cosmetology is much easier on my body than massage. Massage is more therapeutic and rewarding. I love doing them both and would have a very hard choosing between the two.





It is not true that cosmetologists must work with toxic chemicals and work long hours on their feet as massagegeek said. There are many opportunities to work in chemical-free or all-natural salons and this trend is gaining popularity. I have never worked with toxic chemicals and I sit for the majority of my cosmetology services!Would a massage therapist get paid more than a cosmetologist?
The amount of money you'd make really shouldn't be the deciding factor in choosing a new career. But the answer is, it depends on where you'd work. A cosmetologist in a huge, fancy salon in a wealthy area of a large city would make more than a massage therapist working in a PT clinic in a rural area. But a massage therapist in a top-dollar spa resort would make more than a cosmetologist with a corner shop on Main St, USA. There are great opportunities in both fields; it's about knowing where to look, and having the qualifications and experience to get the job you're after.
To actually address your question, and not lead you off to some other career. A massage therapist and a cosmetologist have equal earning potential. If you have the time and/or money, then first get you cosmo license, then your massage license. While earing professional cosmo income, you can further your skills in massage, then have the ability to do both within 2-3 yrs. This makes you more marketable and desirable to employers. Cosmo typically has some massage training involved. A spa setting may be your best interest, where you have more services available to clientele.
There is no way to really compare the two. You can be in either field and make as much or as little as you want just like any other career.





Most massage therapists start their own jobs because you can make more that way. Entry level massage jobs start at $15 an hour but full time work is usually about 25 hours a week because you can't do that much more physically. You also only get paid that when you have a client.





They are two different paths really. Cosmetologists work with toxic chemicals and work long hours on their feet.





Research both fields and figure out what you are most passionate about. That is more important than anything really. If you love your career you can figure out how to make money if you want to.