How Much Do Estheticians Make?
Estheticians, also called aestheticians or skincare specialists, are among the highest average earners in the beauty industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median pay for estheticians was $41,560 per year (or $19.98 per hour) as of May 2024. Overall, esthetician salaries ranged from about $27,160 to $77,330.
In addition to being above average for beauty industry pay, the number of esthetician jobs is expected to grow at a fast pace over the next decade. The BLS anticipates the esthetics field will grow by 7% between 2024 and 2034.
On this page, you'll learn more about how much estheticians are paid near you, including salary data by state and metro area. You'll also discover salary estimates in different industries, how estheticians are paid, and what you can do to improve your salary as an esthetician.
Average Esthetician Salary by State
Esthetician salaries vary by state due to factors such as cost of living and demand for skincare services.
State salary data includes information from across the state, from bustling, high-priced cities to rural, often lower-cost areas. Keep your specific location in mind when looking at this information.
| State | 2024 Median Salary | Projected 2022–2032 Growth |
| Alabama | $35,710 ($17.17/hr) | 8% |
| Alaska | $39,440($18.96/hr) | N/A |
| Arizona | $46,550($22.38/hr) | 16% |
| Arkansas | $37,250 ($17.91/hr) | 17% |
| California | $36,390 ($17.50/hr) | 20% |
| Colorado | N/A | N/A |
| Connecticut | $45,470 ($21.86/hr) | 16% |
| Delaware | $47,310 | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $54,990 ($30.33/hr) | 25% |
| Florida | $38,060 ($18.30/hr) | 16% |
| Georgia | $40,030 ($19.24/hr) | 35% |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | $41,230 ($19.82/hr) | 32% |
| Illinois | $38,580 ($18.55/hr) | 7% |
| Indiana | $43,900 ($21.11/hr) | 9% |
| Iowa | $44,400 ($21.34/hr) | 15% |
| Kansas | $36,240 ($17.42/hr) | N/A |
| Kentucky | $26,360 ($19.88/hr) | 9% |
| Louisiana | $41,340 ($19.88/hr) | 6% |
| Maine | $73,500 ($35.34/hr) | 4% |
| Maryland | $46,420 ($22.32/hr) | 16% |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 ($24.83/hr) | 12% |
| Michigan | $46,620 ($22.41/hr) | 3% |
| Minnesota | $35,410 ($17.02/hr) | 11% |
| Mississippi | 42,010 ($20.20/hr) | 6% |
| Missouri | $49,410 ($23.75/hr) | N/A |
| Montana | $39,620 ($19.05/hr) | 18% |
| Nebraska | $52,010 ($25.00/hr) | 10% |
| Nevada | $40,700 ($19.57/hr) | 18% |
| New Hampshire | $44,190 ($21.24/hr) | 12% |
| New Jersey | $46,130 ($22.18/hr) | 16% |
| New Mexico | $36,000 ($17.31/hr) | 20% |
| New York | $45,770 ($22.00/hr) | 21% |
| North Carolina | $45,770 ($22.17/hr) | 17% |
| North Dakota | $52,510 ($25.25/hr) | 14% |
| Ohio | $41,660 ($20.03/hr) | -1% |
| Oklahoma | $36,320 ($17.46/hr) | 6% |
| Oregon | $52,000 ($25.00/hr) | 21% |
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 ($21.12/hr) | 10% |
| Rhode Island | $38,310 ($18.42/hr) | N/A |
| South Carolina | $35,810 ($17.22/hr) | 13% |
| South Dakota | $31,930 ($15.35/hr) | N/A |
| Tennessee | $36,090 ($17.35/hr) | 29% |
| Texas | $42,940 ($20.64/hr) | 20% |
| Utah | $44,960 ($21.62/hr) | 34% |
| Vermont | $61,060 ($29.36/hr) | 23% |
| Virginia | $35,860 ($17.24/hr) | 13% |
| Washington | $64,880 ($31.19/hr) | 15% |
| West Virginia | $37,750 ($18.15/hr) | 9% |
| Wisconsin | $29,880 ($14.37/hr) | 16% |
| Wyoming | $46,920 ($22.56/hr) | 0% |
Data from CareerOneStop (2025)
Best Cities for Esthetician Salaries
Below, you can find the highest-paying metropolitan areas for estheticians. When considering pay, don't forget to factor in the cost of living. Read our study of the top U.S. cities for esthetician pay when accounting for both salary and cost of living.
Top Metropolitan Areas for Esthetician Salaries
| Metropolitan Area | 2023 Mean Salary |
| Olympia / Tumwater, Washington | $101,120 ($48.61/hr) |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $80,310 ($38.61/hr) |
| Seattle / Tacoma / Bellevue, Washington | $77,680 ($37.35/hr) |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | $76,900 ($36.97/hr) |
| Wilmington, NC | $75,470 ($36.28/hr) |
Data from the BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 – Skincare Specialists (2025)
Top Nonmetropolitan (Non-Urban) Areas for Esthetician Salaries
| Nonmetropolitan Area | 2023 Median Salary |
| Southwest New York Nonmetropolitan Area | $64,840 ($31.18/hr) |
| Western Washington Nonmetropolitan Area | $63,740 ($30.65/hr) |
| Piedmont, North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area | $63,580 ($30.57/hr) |
| Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area | $58,060 ($27.91/hr) |
| Capital/Northern New York Nonmetropolitan Area | $54,900 ($26.39/hr) |
Data from the BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 – Skincare Specialists (2025)
How Industry and Workplace Affect Esthetician Pay
Your employer and what industry you work in can affect your pay. The top-paying industries for estheticians are:
| Industry | Annual Mean Wage (2023) | Hourly Mean Wage (2023) |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $54,610 | $26.25 |
| Offices of Physicians | $54,080 | $26.00 |
Data from the BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 – Skincare Specialists (2025)
Medical facilities make up three of the five highest-paying esthetics work environments.
READ MORE: How to become a medical esthetician
However, pay and popularity don't always align. The industries with the highest levels of employment for estheticians are:
| Industry | Annual Mean Wage (2023) | Hourly Mean Wage (2023) |
| Personal Care Services | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Offices of Physicians | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $54,610 | $26.25 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $41,230 | $19.82 |
| Traveler Accommodation | $47,890 | $23.02 |
Data from the BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 – Skincare Specialists (2025)
Fifty-four percent of estheticians work in personal care services, typically in spas and salons. The next highest percent of estheticians (26%) are self-employed, and the BLS does not research their pay.
How Are Estheticians Paid?
The way estheticians are paid depends on whether they work for themselves or for someone else. When you work for someone else, you must be paid at least your state's minimum wage. In some cases, estheticians who work for others can earn commission based on products they sell. Most estheticians employed by others are paid hourly, though some are salaried.
Self-employed estheticians may rent a booth in a rental salon, own a mobile business, or work out of their homes. They typically set their own rates based on services offered, local averages, business expenses, and other factors.
READ MORE: Commission Salon vs. Booth Rental
Whether you work for an employer or are self-employed, you might receive tips. Tips may be less common for estheticians working in medical settings than in other places. Whether you can be tipped if you're salaried rather than hourly is determined by your state or county.
READ MORE: How Much Do Beauty Professionals Actually Make?
How to Improve Your Esthetician Salary
The best way to improve your esthetician salary is by taking continuing education classes and gaining additional skills.
Continuing education courses can be found through local beauty groups, at conferences, or through esthetician schools. Your esthetician school may offer free or paid continuing education to its graduates.
You may also earn more as an esthetician if you work in a physician's office. Medical estheticians don't need a separate license, though taking relevant continuing education courses is a good idea. Nurse estheticians often make significantly more than medical or standard estheticians, but a nursing license is required.
And, of course, work experience is key! The longer you're employed, the higher your pay is likely to be. Try to avoid unnecessary employment gaps and keep your portfolio up to date if you decide to look for new jobs. If you find yourself in a rut, you can also look into unusual jobs in the beauty industry, which may or may not pay more but could earn you some valuable skills.
