To become an esthetician in the US, you complete a state-approved esthetician or cosmetology program, then pass a written and a practical exam to get your state licence. Licensing requirements vary by state, so your state board decides the training it accepts and the exam you'll sit.
BLS calls estheticians skincare specialists. One detail worth knowing early: a licence from one state can sometimes transfer to another without retraining.
The facts below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for skincare specialists, read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide about training, licensing and pay, not skincare or medical advice.
Esthetician pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $21.79 an hour, $45,330 a year |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $14.22 an hour |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $39.45 an hour |
| Jobs in 2025 | 104,200 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 9%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 14,200 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey. BLS reports this job mainly in hourly pay, because part-time work is common.
The route in, step by step
- Check your state's requirements with the state board before you choose a school.
- Complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program. Some high schools offer vocational training, but BLS says most people train at a postsecondary vocational school.
- Pass the written exam and the practical exam for your state licence.
- Apply for your licence.
- Keep learning. Many states offer continuing education, and manufacturers, associations and trade shows run post-licence training on new techniques and products.
The licence transfer detail people miss
If you might move, this matters. BLS says state reciprocity agreements may let a licensed skincare specialist get a licence in another state without more formal training or state board testing. Whether that works depends on the two states involved, so contact the licensing agency in the state you're moving to.
It's worth checking before you train, not after. If you know you'll relocate, a program and licence that your future state recognises can save you from repeating hours or exams.
Where estheticians work and what it pays
Personal care services, such as salons and spas, employ 52% of skincare specialists. Self-employed workers come next at 29 in every 100, and offices of physicians at 6 in every 100.
| Industry | Median hourly pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Offices of physicians | $24.81 |
| Traveler accommodation | $21.75 |
| Personal care services | $21.10 |
| Health and personal care retailers | $20.15 |
So working in a physician's office paid the highest median of the top industries, at $24.81 an hour against $21.10 in salons and spas, as of October 2026. It's a smaller part of the job market, but it's where the hourly pay is higher.
Hours and income: plan for variation
Part-time work is common, and schedules can include evenings and weekends. That means your weekly income depends on your hours as much as your hourly rate. If you want full-time hours, ask employers directly how many they can offer before you accept a role.
Many estheticians build their own client list. With 29 in every 100 self-employed, it's a realistic path. Our guide to the best salon software covers booking and payments, and these AI prompts for salon owners help with social posts, service menus and client messages.
What the job involves
- Evaluating the condition of clients' skin, which needs good lighting and clean surroundings.
- Standing for long periods.
- Working with chemicals on the face and body, which can mean protective clothing and good ventilation.
- Keeping up with new techniques and products through continuing education.
Choosing a school
Start with your state board. It's the board that decides which programs it'll accept, so check a school's approval before you pay a deposit. Then compare how each school prepares you for both parts of the exam, written and practical, because you'll need to pass both. Ask how much hands-on practice you'll get, and whether the school helps with job placements in spas, salons or medical offices. If you're thinking about moving states later, ask whether graduates have transferred their licence successfully, because that's where reciprocity comes in.
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Why demand is growing
BLS expects 9% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. It links that partly to demand for services like mini-sessions, which are quick facials at a lower cost, and mobile facials, where skincare specialists make house calls.
How long it takes
Program length depends on your state, because the state board sets the requirements. After the program, you sit the written and practical exams and apply for your licence. Ask each school how its program lines up with your state's rules and how it prepares you for both exams.
My verdict
Esthetics is one of the quicker routes into a licensed career: a state-approved program, then a written and practical exam. Pay is modest at the median, and part-time hours are common, so look at settings and self-employment carefully. If you want higher hourly pay, physicians' offices top BLS's list. And if you might move states, check reciprocity before you train. Growth is strong, with about 14,200 openings a year, so there's room to start part time, build a client list and grow from there once you've found the setting that suits you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a licensed esthetician?
Complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program, then pass a written and practical exam for your state licence.
How long does it take to become an esthetician?
It depends on your state, since state boards set the program requirements. After training, you sit the state exams and apply for your licence.
Can you transfer an esthetician licence to another state?
Sometimes. BLS says reciprocity agreements may allow a licence in another state without more formal training or state board testing.
How much do estheticians make?
BLS reports a median of $21.79 an hour for skincare specialists in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Where do estheticians earn the most?
Among the top industries BLS lists, offices of physicians had the highest median, at $24.81 an hour.
Is esthetics a growing career?
BLS projects 9% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 14,200 openings a year.
