Esthetician Career Guide

Esthetician 101

So much of life’s stress shows in our skin. Estheticians use their skill and artistry to erase that wear and rejuvenate tired skin. From waxing and facials to microdermabrasion and laser treatments, being an esthetician means having a broad knowledge base, a talent with people and the motivation to build an exciting, multifaceted career.

Esthetics covers a wide range of skin care treatments, so your schooling will cover everything from detailed spa treatments to the science behind skin analysis. It requires a real commitment, but the payoffs can be great—lots of job opportunities, plenty of flexibility and tons of room to shape and grow your career.

Becoming an esthetician is a great career choice if you’re interested in doing the following:

• Working closely with clients to determine their skin care needs
• Cleaning, revitalizing and beautifying skin
• Identifying skin types and recommending appropriate skin care regimes
• Performing advanced skin care procedures, like chemical peels and laser treatments

In order to be successful as an esthetician, you will need to be able to do the following:

• Relax clients with easy conversation or comfortable silence
• Accommodate clients during sometimes uncomfortable treatments
• Keep up with the latest skin care products and technologies
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, health and safety
• Keep your own appearance professional and well-groomed

Your Esthetician Education

What You’ll Study

To become an esthetician, you can opt to get a basic license or a master license. Your course of study will vary in complexity depending on which license you choose to pursue.

All esthetics students study the following:

• Facial treatments
• Body wraps
• Salt glows
• Waxing
• Make-up application
• Foot reflexology
• Aromatherapy
• Spa treatments
• Skin analysis

To earn a master license you may also study the following:

• Laser hair removal
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Microdermabrasion
• Chemical peels

Average Length of Study

This will depend largely on what program you choose and how many hours you need to complete in order to get licensed in your state. For a basic program, you can expect to complete a 600-hour course in about four months of full-time study. An advanced esthetics program, leading to a master license, would take closer to eight months.

Average Tuition

Tuition will vary depending on the school and your location. For a basic esthetics program, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $5,000. For advanced programs that include medical esthetics like laser treatment, tuition may be between $8,000 and $10,000.

Esthetician Certification and Licensing

There is no degree required, but all states require that estheticians have either a basic license or master license. The national average for course hours completed is 650 for a basic license.

Basic Licensing

The majority of states require a minimum of 600 course hours in order to earn a basic license, with some states requiring up to 750. You may also be required to take a licensing exam that will test both your practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Master Licensing

In order to earn a master license, you will likely have to complete a minimum of 1200 and up to 1500 hours of course work. As with basic licensing, your state may also require that you pass a test with both practical and theoretical components.

Esthetician Career Overview

Most estheticians work in day spas, resort spas, department store spas and salons. Many also work as medical estheticians alongside plastic surgeons and dermatologists or in hospitals helping patients recover from trauma or surgery. No matter where you decide to work, you're likely to be responsible for building your own client base. Once you do, you may decide to work from home or open your own spa or salon.

Esthetician Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job opportunities for estheticians will continue to grow rapidly through 2014. The increasing popularity of natural or alternative treatments and the general aging of the population are spurring the growth of the spa and beauty industry—and a growing industry means more jobs. Also, esthetics is one of the fastest growing specialties within the spa and beauty industry because people are spending more time and money on skin treatments than ever before. This makes today a great time to become an esthetician.

Esthetician Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for skin care professionals in 2006 was just shy of $30,000. While salaries will vary based on location, type of esthetic practice and level of experience, you can expect to earn between $20,000 and $30,000, with more experienced estheticians making $50,000 or more.

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Looking for Spa and Massage Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools and program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007
Esthetician Career Prospects, May 2007