Which is a better career choice, esthetician/massage therapist or cosmetologist/barber?

Go with Massage therapist. More demand and pay. Plus you really get help people. Although there is not a lot of creativity with this one so you may get bored and most are self employed. School is a little more intensive but more interesting.

I can't answer which is "better," because they are different. I'd recommend shadowing both and see what you like. A basic Physical Therapists versus a basic RN, the PT will make more than the nurse. Nurses can get their master's degrees, like PTs, and then the salaries become pretty competitive. Nurses with their MS degrees tend to make more. Some PTs open up their own outpatient clinics and make big bucks, but, then again, some Nurse Practitioners can do that, too. You don't go to medical school for physical therapy, but you need a master's degree. I've heard, in the future, you'll need to get a phD. Good luck, they're both great careers to get into!