CareerFacts

All careers › Skincare Specialists

Esthetician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,330median pay per year, or $21.79 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $29,580lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,04025th percentile
  3. $45,330median
  4. $59,70075th percentile
  5. $82,050top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median esthetician, which BLS calls a skincare specialist, earned $45,330 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.8%[2]
Openings per year
14,200[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do estheticians make?

The median pay for skincare specialists was $45,330 a year, or $21.79 an hour[1]. About half of workers earned more than this and half earned less[1]. The average was $51,850 a year, or $24.93 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. So the median for this job was below the all-occupations median.

Pay spreads out widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $29,580 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $36,040[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $59,700, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $82,050[3]. In hourly terms, those four marks were $14.22, $17.33, $28.70 and $39.45[8].

BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries in the pay range[9].

Pay mark Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $29,580
25th percentile[3] $36,040
Median[1] $45,330
75th percentile[3] $59,700
90th percentile[3] $82,050

These wages cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 72,890 people held these wage and salary jobs[11]. In 2025, 29.2% of skincare specialists were self-employed[12].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median pay at $79,320 a year, followed by the District of Columbia at $77,480 and Wyoming at $62,400[13]. Idaho was last on the list at $34,130[13].

The most jobs were in California (11,360), Texas (6,160) and Florida (5,270)[14]. California's median was $38,770 and Texas's was $49,250[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA had the highest median at $91,000, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA was next at $80,510[15]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City with 4,600 jobs (median $46,490) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 4,500 jobs (median $37,560)[16].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$79,3202,200
District of Columbia$77,480200
Wyoming$62,400100
Montana$58,500280
Nebraska$58,420550
North Dakota$58,160190
Maine$55,850260
Colorado$54,5001,510
Oregon$52,1101,070
Delaware$50,820130
Arizona$50,4701,710
Texas$49,2506,160
Georgia$48,6602,230
Massachusetts$47,3101,360
New Mexico$47,230370
New Hampshire$46,890430
Maryland$46,5901,130
Wisconsin$46,2201,190
New Jersey$45,8702,660
Kansas$45,760420
Utah$45,4901,160
Illinois$45,3302,960
Michigan$45,2401,510
Missouri$45,2001,390
Indiana$44,4501,120
Minnesota$44,430920
Florida$43,8805,270
Rhode Island$43,880120
Connecticut$43,680660
Pennsylvania$43,6202,560
New York$42,9103,510
Alaska$41,240120
Mississippi$41,160320
South Carolina$39,6701,210
Virginia$39,3501,970
Alabama$39,260590
Ohio$39,1501,700
North Carolina$39,1202,680
California$38,77011,360
Nevada$38,6601,540
Kentucky$38,580830
South Dakota$38,230150
West Virginia$38,03080
Oklahoma$37,340680
Iowa$37,080710
Louisiana$36,890600
Tennessee$36,5901,710
Arkansas$36,520340
Idaho$34,130720

How to become an esthetician

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[6]. The steps look like this[17]:

Some high schools may offer vocational training[18]. BLS says most people get their training at a postsecondary vocational school[18].

After licensing, many states offer continuing education. Manufacturers, associations and trade shows also offer training[20]. Reciprocity agreements between states may let a licensed worker get a license in another state without more formal training or testing[21]. Your state licensing agency can give details[21].

The facts we use here do not say how long a program takes or what it costs.

BLS also names some useful skills. Customer service helps bring clients back[22]. Time management matters for scheduling[23]. Workers who run their own salon need business skills such as accounting[24]. Self-employed workers must find new clients on their own[25].

What estheticians do

O*NET describes the work as giving skincare treatments to the face and body to improve how a person looks[26]. The group also includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists[26]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as esthetician, medical esthetician, facialist and skin therapist[28].

Where they work

Skincare specialists usually work in salons and spas, and some work in medical offices[29]. In 2025, personal care services was the largest employer group at 52%[30].

Skincare specialists may have to stand for long periods[29]. Good lighting matters for checking skin[31]. Workers may need protective clothing and good ventilation because they often use chemicals[31]. Part-time work is common. Schedules can vary and may include evenings and weekends[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of skincare specialists to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 104,200 to 113,300 jobs, a change of 9,100[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[33]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of 72,890 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[11].

About 14,200 openings a year are projected, on average, from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings count jobs left behind by workers who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 4.8% of workers leave the labor force and 7.4% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a median wage below the all-occupations median, and a wide pay range[1][3][4]. Pay differs a lot by state, so local numbers matter[13]. Entry takes a state-approved program and a state license, with no work experience required[6][17][19]. Projected growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[2][33]. The work may mean standing for long periods, and part-time schedules are common[29][32]. In 2025, 29.2% were self-employed[12], and the wage data does not cover them[10].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an esthetician make an hour?
The median was $21.79 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $24.93[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $14.22 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $39.45[8].
What degree do you need to be an esthetician?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education[6]. You finish a cosmetology or esthetician program approved by your state, then pass a state exam[17].
Is esthetician a job in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. About 14,200 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for estheticians?
Washington, with a median of $79,320 a year, followed by the District of Columbia at $77,480[13].
Do estheticians need a license?
To get a state license, you pass a written exam and a practical exam, and the rules vary by state[19].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Skincare Specialists in the US was $45,330 per year and $21.79 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Skincare Specialists is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 104,200 to 113,300 jobs (a change of +9,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Skincare Specialists: 10th percentile $29,580, 25th percentile $36,040, 75th percentile $59,700, 90th percentile $82,050. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 14,200 openings for Skincare Specialists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Skincare Specialists: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Skincare Specialists was $51,850 per year and $24.93 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Skincare Specialists: 10th percentile $14.22, 25th percentile $17.33, 75th percentile $28.70, 90th percentile $39.45. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 72,890 people were employed as Skincare Specialists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 29.2% of Skincare Specialists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Skincare Specialists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Skincare Specialists jobs: California 11,360; Texas 6,160; Florida 5,270; New York 3,510; Illinois 2,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Skincare Specialists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $91,000; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,510; Portland-South Portland, ME $64,370; Naples-Marco Island, FL $63,630; Lincoln, NE $61,560; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $58,930; Omaha, NE-IA $58,430; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $57,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Skincare Specialists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,600 (median $46,490); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,500 (median $37,560); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,720 (median $45,330); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,920 (median $52,350); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,720 (median $51,320); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,660 (median $48,250). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Skincare Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Skincare Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 39-5094.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Aesthetician, Clinical Esthetician, Electrologist, Esthetician, Facialist, Medical Esthetician, Skin Therapist, Skincare Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of skincare specialists in 2025: Personal care services 52%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Skincare Specialists: 4.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.