Esthetician Schools in District of Columbia
If a career as an esthetician interests you, consider earning licensure and beginning a career in Washington, D.C. In a 2016 study of 150 major metros, D.C. ranked 20th overall in best cities for your skin; however, they ranked 131st in skin health and skincare (i.e., the quantity of skincare providers, businesses, and so forth). Additionally, in 2019, D.C. proved to be the 18th most stressed-out city in the country, with nearby Alexandria, VA, ranking even worse. Therefore, the city needs excellent estheticians to not just help with skin health, but to give D.C.-area residents a chance to unwind. Though D.C. doesn't publish individual growth or salary statistics, the metro of Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reported an annual median pay of $30,560 per year ($14.69 per hour) as of 2018, and the nation as a whole anticipates the field to grow by 11% between 2018 and 2028.
Working in nearby Maryland or Virginia will require different licensure than D.C., so if those areas interest you, check out schools in those states. The schools below will all help you complete the 600 required hours of training to become a Washington D.C. esthetician.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in District of Columbia, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools near District of Columbia
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8435 Old Annapolis Road
New Carrollton, MD 20784
12450 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, MD 20852
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy – Accredited
Reston, VA 20190
Paulette de Paris, International Beauty Academy – Accredited
Vienna, VA 22182
You must attend school in the state you want to practice in. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited school. Learn more about the requirements in your state.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
How to Become a Esthetician in District of Columbia
- 600 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 6 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- Average salary for estheticians in Washington DC is $35,181 ($16.91/hour). This is higher than the national average of $34,090 ($16.39/hour).
- There is a predicted 11% job increase between 2018-2028 for estheticians nationally.
Washington DC is a fast-paced metropolitan area with lots of busy people who want to look good. Clearly, this is a great place to start a beauty career!
If you like seeing how high-quality products, moisturizing procedures, makeup, and masks can completely transform someone's skin, why not become an esthetician?
State License Requirements
Required to earn a esthetics license
Ready to get your license and start working? Sign up to take your licensing exams through the Washington DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. After they verify that you have met all of the requirements, they provide you with your initial esthetician license.
Education Details
At beauty schools in Washington DC, you can get the training you need to thrive in esthetics. Not only do you need a thorough understanding of theory and terminology, you must be able to put theory to work while providing services to clients. For that reason, training programs offer classroom time and salon floor time. As you work through your 600 hours of training, you should be able to spend a significant amount of time working with clients while being supervised.
Courses Required at DC Esthetic Schools
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Barbering licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years. Cosmetology, esthetician, nail technician, electrologist, and permanent makeup licenses expire on April 30 of even-numbered years. Washington D.C. requires 6 cosmetology continuing education hours during each renewal period. Two hours must be in sanitation and hygiene, and the other four hours can be in any subject or area of study.
District of Columbia Esthetics Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetics in District of Columbia
Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for Washington DC estheticians are expected to increase 11% (O*Net, 2016). The average salary for a skin care specialist in this region is $35,181 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).
No matter what your natural skills and interests are in skin care, you may find what you're looking for in Washington DC. There are many full-service hair salons that cater to busy professionals, lobbyists, and politicians. In these settings, discretion and efficiency are key. Still, everyone needs to unwind, which is why there are luxury spas located throughout Washington DC. In this setting, you may focus on creating an overall relaxing experience while giving clients effective skin care procedures.
Contact the District of Columbia State Board of Esthetics
- 1100 4th Street, SW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20024
- Website: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
- Email: opla.barberandcosmetology@dc.gov
- Call: 202-442-4400
- Fax: 202-442-9445