All careersEveryday & transport

Esthetician / Skincare Specialist

$41,560
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Perform facials, waxing, and skincare treatments and advise clients on caring for their skin.

Where you work

Spas, salons, and medical offices

The hours

Includes evenings and weekends

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$41,560
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~14,500
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+7%
Faster than average
Working in the U.S.
97,400
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Certificate program

Training path: State-approved program + license.

License or certification

Requires completing a state-approved esthetics or cosmetology program and passing a licensing exam.

What it takes

Skincare knowledgeSteady handsCustomer serviceCleanliness

The honest take

A licensed beauty career with a shorter path than many, and room to build a loyal client following.

Standard Occupational Classification 39-5094. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.