Esthetician Career Guide
How much do estheticians make?
In This Article
Estheticians, also referred to as skincare specialists, can have a wide range of salaries which are influenced by a multitude of different factors such as location, the types of esthetic services you offer, your experience and more.
Although estheticians may have a median annual salary that’s less than the average across all occupations, salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that estheticians tend to make about as much as other cosmetology professionals in the personal care services industry.
Plus, when you consider that many estheticians also earn additional income through tips and commissions, estheticians can make a livable wage helping people feel confident and healthy in their own skin.
Esthetician salary—yearly median in each state
The BLS classifies estheticians as skincare specialists in their Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (OES). According to their 2023 OES, the median annual salary for skincare specialists nationwide is $43,200. That comes out to about $21 per hour. Salaries can vary a lot, however, with the bottom 10% of the profession earning $27,600 per year and the top 10% earning $81,320.
The states with the highest median annual wages for licensed skincare specialists are spread across the country and include Vermont, Washington, North Carolina, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Most of the top 10 paying metropolitan areas for skincare specialists, according to their data, are located in Washington and New York.
Most of the top 10 paying metropolitan areas for skincare specialists, according to [BLS] data, are located in Washington and New York.
Unfortunately, the BLS does not keep salary data for self-employed workers. Since many estheticians are self-employed, it’s fair to say that the sample size the BLS uses to calculate their figures is smaller than the true number of estheticians working across the country. Because of that, their numbers may not be entirely reflective of what you could earn.
Nevertheless, here are median salaries across the country as reported by the BLS:
10%$27,600
25%$33,310
50%$43,200Median
75%$58,730
90%$81,320
Median Hourly Wage$21
Job growth9.1%
Total Employment65,270
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,720 | $22,380 | $55,680 |
| Alaska | $38,400 | $37,350 | $50,720 |
| Arizona | $44,470 | $33,960 | $70,590 |
| Arkansas | $36,070 | $29,320 | $83,270 |
| California | $42,780 | $33,100 | $104,810 |
| Colorado | $50,740 | $30,730 | $77,220 |
| Connecticut | $50,480 | $34,960 | $96,950 |
| Delaware | $43,100 | $27,550 | $83,030 |
| District of Columbia | $46,260 | $44,280 | $132,190 |
| Florida | $41,050 | $28,780 | $85,370 |
| Georgia | $40,770 | $27,470 | $62,520 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | $37,060 | $28,730 | $70,810 |
| Illinois | $37,710 | $30,750 | $76,550 |
| Indiana | $41,470 | $24,260 | $68,040 |
| Iowa | $34,410 | $23,920 | $65,900 |
| Kansas | $35,940 | $17,230 | $62,330 |
| Kentucky | $45,180 | $27,970 | $94,000 |
| Louisiana | $36,420 | $22,020 | $61,570 |
| Maine | $44,510 | $30,210 | $71,890 |
| Maryland | $40,250 | $28,000 | $71,050 |
| Massachusetts | $48,470 | $33,930 | $80,630 |
| Michigan | $50,600 | $31,560 | $77,690 |
| Minnesota | $50,330 | $24,910 | $79,530 |
| Mississippi | $43,660 | $31,610 | $106,500 |
| Missouri | $38,900 | $25,210 | $64,430 |
| Montana | $42,340 | $22,430 | $82,530 |
| Nebraska | $33,350 | $31,200 | $63,420 |
| Nevada | $38,420 | $24,940 | $74,560 |
| New Hampshire | $41,630 | $20,800 | $60,690 |
| New Jersey | $43,390 | $29,890 | $98,560 |
| New Mexico | $38,150 | $33,330 | $61,910 |
| New York | $43,670 | $31,200 | $100,670 |
| North Carolina | $48,280 | $27,320 | $98,080 |
| North Dakota | $44,010 | $38,080 | $63,530 |
| Ohio | $46,030 | $29,240 | $75,660 |
| Oklahoma | $24,040 | $19,330 | $55,290 |
| Oregon | $62,500 | $33,170 | $76,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,330 | $33,730 | $65,000 |
| Rhode Island | $47,980 | $29,720 | $48,960 |
| South Carolina | $39,970 | $22,920 | $92,090 |
| South Dakota | $36,790 | $34,310 | $46,180 |
| Tennessee | $32,600 | $20,360 | $78,920 |
| Texas | $35,570 | $21,100 | $66,960 |
| Utah | $45,630 | $24,940 | $82,220 |
| Vermont | $57,140 | $37,620 | $93,230 |
| Virginia | $37,740 | $28,680 | $66,560 |
| Washington | $65,190 | $44,870 | $130,580 |
| West Virginia | $38,960 | $30,070 | $52,260 |
| Wisconsin | $30,700 | $23,300 | $75,960 |
| Wyoming | $65,290 | $17,260 | $68,350 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
It’s also worthwhile to point out that estheticians are usually tipped for their services, much like barbers and hair stylists, massage therapists and other professions. Since the data from the BLS focuses on wages alone, tips can contribute to an esthetician’s overall salary in a way that is not reflected in their data.
Additional benefits and other perks of the job
Many estheticians are able to work part time and have flexible schedules, which is just one reason why the profession can be especially beneficial for women.
“The industry is 98% female,” said Susanne S. Warfield, Founder and Executive Director of the National Coalition of Estheticians Association (NCEA). Warfield explained that since women often have to take time off to have and care for children or aging parents—a burden which still falls mostly on women—they may require a job with more flexibility, which being an esthetician can provide.
“What is great about this career is that it allows you the flexibility to have your [personal] life and have a very fulfilling career,” Warfield said.
Though some may be salaried employees, estheticians are usually paid by the hour plus tips. They may also be able to earn additional commission pay by providing more expensive services or selling skincare products to their clients.
Hourly employees tend to have fewer benefits compared to salaried employees, but this really depends on each individual employer’s policies. Many businesses or companies provide full benefits to their hourly employees, which could include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off and more. Larger businesses are more likely to have the resources to offer these kinds of benefits, but this can vary from employer to employer.
Factors affecting the salary of an esthetician
Your location, years of experience, types of services you offer and any special credentials you may hold, can all impact what you could make as an esthetician. Due to their higher cost of living, large metropolitan areas like Seattle and New York City tend to have higher salaries for esthetician jobs, but this is not always the case everywhere.
Populated areas can also be overly saturated with professionals like estheticians which can drive wages down. In a more suburban or rural area where you might not face as much competition, there may be more demand for your services which can increase wages.
Experience is another important player when it comes to an esthetician’s salary. Like many other careers, simply gaining experience over time, accruing a solid client base and fostering a positive reputation in your community is essential to being able to land better jobs or raise your prices if you run your own business. Earning additional credentials such as the NCEA certification could also help boost your credibility and salary potential.
Like many other careers, simply gaining experience over time, accruing a solid client base and fostering a positive reputation in your community is essential to being able to land better jobs or raise your prices if you run your own business.
Increasing your earning potential
Brenda Groce, Director of Northwest Esthetics Academy in Kennewick, Washington, said that keeping your menu of services up to date with the latest trends is one important way to keep customers coming through your door.
“With all the new products that are coming out, you can add new things to your service menu. You can add new products to your menu, you can add new services, new machines and all that.”
In order to keep your service menu current, Groce highly recommended that estheticians participate in continuing education opportunities.
“I feel like education is the most important, honestly in every career. Continuing education, attending trade shows, seeing what’s new, what’s fresh and what’s out there. You might have been doing something for 10 years, but now 15-20 years later, there’s something new out and people want that new thing, and adding that new thing is going to help your stream of income.”
Groce also said that selling products to your customers is another way to increase your overall earnings.
“Product selling is honestly essential in the career anyway, even if you’re doing lash extension, if you’re doing makeup—it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing. You have to be selling something because there’s always aftercare for what you’re doing, and that’s an easy way to add extra income.”
How do esthetician salaries compare to similar professions?
According to the BLS, estheticians have a slightly higher median annual salary when compared to similar occupations like barbers, hairdressers and cosmetologists and even manicurists and pedicurists. Massage therapists, though not cosmetology professionals, have a median annual wage that is just over $10,000 more than the median annual wage for skincare specialists.
Like estheticians, many cosmetology professionals and massage therapists are self-employed, meaning their salaries may not be included in the BLS’s data figures. In addition, these professions are usually tipped by customers, which can increase their earning potential on top of their base salary.
Job outlook for estheticians
The BLS estimates the employment of skincare specialists will grow 9.1% through 2032, which is much faster than the average across all occupations. This relatively rapid growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for personal care services and the expanding number of services that skincare specialists can offer.
Plus, skincare services have been reaching new clientele—men have been contributing to a male grooming boom in recent years that has broadened many peoples’ perception of skincare services beyond the exclusively feminine arena.
“I feel like even from when I was in school to now, people are more aware of their skin and UV damage and all these things, and there’s this popularity in skincare right now. Men are getting into it too, which is great because we all have skin and we should all be taking care of it,” Groce said.
Parting words
Estheticians can earn a wide range of salaries—where you work, the kinds of services you offer, your years of experience, reputation and more all play a part in how much you as an individual could earn.
Professionals in the field recommend a variety of ways to increase your earnings, including investing in continuing education to stay current with the latest trends and selling products to your customers. As your client base begins to grow, you have the potential to foster a fulfilling and profitable career as a skin care specialist.
Published: February 10, 2024
Written and reported by:
Kendall Upton
Staff Writer
With professional insight from:
Susanne S. Warfield, Founder and Executive Director
National Coalition of Estheticians Association (NCEA)
Brenda Groce, Director
Northwest Esthetics Academy