---
title: "Esthetician: Training, License and What They Earn"
description: "How to become an esthetician: state-approved skin care programs, licensing exams, the work and BLS May 2025 median pay for skincare specialists."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/esthetician/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Beauty · Esthetician

# Esthetician Skin care as a career.

Beauty career profile

Estheticians give facials, treat skin concerns, do waxing and advise clients on skin care. Programs are usually shorter than cosmetology school, and there is steady demand from spas, salons and medical offices.

In short

To become an esthetician, complete a state-approved esthetics program, often several hundred hours depending on the state, then pass written and practical licensing exams. Most states require a license. Skincare specialists earned a median of $45,330 in May 2025, and BLS projects 8.8% growth through 2035.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $45,330 a year, about $21.79 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Certificate |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 104,200 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 8.8% |
| Openings each year | About 14,200 on average, including replacements |
| Licensing | Set by each state board |
| Where they work | Spas, salons, dermatology and medical spa offices, self-employed |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## The work

You assess skin, give facials and treatments, remove hair, and recommend products. In medical settings you may assist with more advanced procedures under supervision. Retail sales and rebooking clients are a big part of income.

## Questions people ask

### How long is esthetician school?

Programs often take a few months, depending on state hours.

### Is esthetics worth it?

It can be, with steady clients and product sales. Compare program costs carefully.

### Can estheticians work in medical offices?

Yes, many work in dermatology or medical spa settings.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Skincare specialists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/skincare-specialists.htm)

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