What does an esthetician do?
Estheticians help clients keep their skin healthy and looking its best. The heart of the job is the facial: cleansing, steaming, exfoliating, extracting, massaging and applying masks and products chosen for the client’s skin type.
Each service starts with a skin analysis. You look at the client’s skin, ask about their routine and concerns, and check for conditions that mean a treatment should be changed or avoided. Estheticians do not diagnose medical conditions. When they see something that may need a doctor, they refer the client to one.
Many estheticians also offer waxing, brow shaping, makeup application, body treatments and lash or brow tinting. Depending on state rules and training, some perform chemical peels, microdermabrasion or other advanced treatments.
Teaching clients about home care is a big part of the work. Estheticians recommend products and routines, and retail sales can be a large share of their income.
Successful estheticians are good listeners with a calm, caring manner. Clients often share their insecurities about their skin, and they come back to someone who makes them feel comfortable.
Tools of the job include facial beds, steamers, magnifying lamps, extraction tools, wax pots, high-frequency and microcurrent devices, and professional skin care products.
Estheticians work in:
- Day spas and resort spas
- Salons
- Medical spas and dermatology offices
- Skin care studios and their own practice
- Product companies, as educators or sales reps
A typical day
- Prepare your treatment room and products
- Do skin analysis and talk with clients about their goals
- Give facials, waxing and other services
- Recommend home care products and book follow-ups
- Clean and disinfect tools and rooms between clients
Esthetician pay and job outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skincare specialists, which includes estheticians, earn a median of $45,330 a year, or $21.79 an hour. This figure covers employees only. It does not include self-employed estheticians or those who rent a room. Commissions on retail sales can add to income.
The BLS counts about 104,200 skincare specialist jobs, including self-employed workers. Employment is projected to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,200 openings each year.
Pros
- Training is shorter than many licensed careers.
- Solid projected growth.
- Calm, one-on-one work in a relaxing setting.
- Options to work in spas, medical offices or your own studio.
Cons
- Income can be uneven while you build clients.
- Many jobs pay partly on commission.
- Repetitive hand motions and leaning over clients can strain your body.
- Rules on advanced treatments vary by state and can limit what you offer.
Training options: school is the main path
Esthetics program. In nearly every state, you must complete a state-approved program to get licensed. Programs are offered by beauty schools, cosmetology schools and some community colleges. Many require around 600 hours, which takes about 4 to 9 months full time. Costs typically range from about $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the school and the hours required.
Programs include theory classes, hands-on practice on classmates, and a student clinic where you work on real clients.
Apprenticeships. A few states allow apprenticeships in a licensed spa or salon, but they are uncommon.
Cosmetology license. In many states, a cosmetology license also covers basic skin care. If you want to focus on skin, though, an esthetics program goes deeper.
Certification and licensing by state
Nearly every state licenses estheticians, and requirements vary a lot. Many states require about 600 hours of training. Some require fewer than 300, while others require 750 or more. A few states offer a master or advanced esthetician license that requires about 1,000 hours or more and allows more advanced treatments.
Most states require:
- A minimum age and, in many states, a high school diploma or GED
- Completion of a state-approved program
- Passing written and practical exams
- Renewing your license on a set schedule
What estheticians may do also varies by state. This is especially true for chemical peels, microneedling, lasers and other devices. Some treatments are allowed only under a doctor’s supervision or not at all. Always check your state board’s scope of practice rules.
Specializations and where they lead
- Medical esthetician. Work in dermatology offices or medical spas alongside doctors and nurses, within your state’s rules.
- Waxing and brow specialist. A fast-growing niche with steady repeat clients.
- Lash artist. Lash extensions and lifts, which may require extra training or a separate license in some states.
- Makeup artist. Bridal, editorial or retail makeup work.
- Educator, brand trainer or studio owner. Teach at a school, train for a product company or open your own skin care studio.
How to choose an esthetics school
Choose a school that gets you licensed and comfortable with real clients. Ask these questions:
- Is the school approved by my state board, and is it accredited? Accreditation affects federal financial aid (FAFSA).
- Does the program meet my state’s required hours? If you may move, ask about other states’ rules too.
- What are your state board pass rates? Ask for written and practical results.
- How much time will I spend on real clients? Ask about the student clinic.
- What is included in tuition? Ask about kits, products, books and exam fees.
- Which advanced treatments do you teach? Make sure they are allowed under your state’s license.
- What job placement help do you offer? Ask which spas and clinics hire graduates.
