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Beauty therapist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, beauty therapists don't need a college education. The most common degree for beauty therapists is diploma with 38% graduates, with only 27% beauty therapist graduates earning bachelor's degree. Beauty therapists who decided to graduate from college often finish University of the Sciences or West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Some good skills to have in this position include facial treatments, customer service and body treatments.

What education do you need to become a beauty therapist?

What degree do you need to be a beauty therapist?

The most common degree for beauty therapists is diploma, with 38% of beauty therapists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 19%.
  • Diploma, 38%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • High School Diploma, 19%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a beauty therapist?

You should major in physical therapy to become a beauty therapist. 19% of beauty therapists major in physical therapy. Other common majors for a beauty therapist include business and cosmetology.

Best majors for beauty therapists

RankMajorPercentages
1Physical Therapy19.3%
2Business12.3%
3Cosmetology12.3%
4Somatic Bodywork5.3%
5Nursing5.3%

20 best online courses for beauty therapists

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1. Learn Henna Brow treatment, beautiful brows for weeks

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3. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate

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Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...

4. Natural Beauty: How to Make Lotions, Creams and Body Butters

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How to create your own natural skincare lotions harnessing the power of healing plants for natural beauty and wellness...

5. BEGINNERS Brow Lamination Lash Lift & Tint Course- Top rated

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Learn To Master The Most Popular Treatments Of 2023 And Get The Best Results For Yourself & Clients! For all levels!...

6. Laser Hair Removal and IPL rejuvenation for aestheticians

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Laser hair removal ( IPL and diode) , and IPL skin rejuvenation(acne, texture, pigmentation, vascular)...

7. Deep Tissue Massage: Myofascial Release Certificate Course

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This course will change how you think of Deep Tissue Massage using a whole body Myofascial approach (2 CEUs)...

8. Deep Tissue Massage: Trigger Point Therapy Certificate

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Deep Tissue Trigger Point Massage Therapy is a proven approach for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction (2CEU)...

9. Fundamental Beauty & Contouring Technique

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Danessa Myricks teaches the art of Face Contouring, using the 4 Core Concepts and extensive step-by-step demonstration...

10. All Natural Beauty Products With Aromatherapy Essential Oils

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Make All Your Own All Natural Face And Body Beauty Products Using Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Butters And Carrier Oils...

11. Gua Sha Facial Massage Certificate Course

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Learn how to do Gua Sha Facial Massage for a truly integrated approach to wellness, health and beauty (1 CEU)...

12. Cavitation, Faradic and Radiofrequency Slimming Treatments

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Non surgical body re-contouring certificate level 4...

13. Diploma in Luxury Facial, Facial Machines, Chemical Peeling

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CPDLearning Basic & Advanced techniques in facials with 5 stars client satisfaction everytime and achieve facial results...

14. Brow Lamination and Lash Lift , Brow Tint and Lash Tint 2023

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Complete Brow Lift and Lash Lift Application , Step by step Theory , Hygiene standards , Lift and tint Lashes and Brows...

15. Luxury Spa Facial Certificate Course- A Complete Guide 2 CEU

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Learn Just How Quick and Easy It Is to Start Doing Exactly the Same Facials Used in Our Award Winning Isla Verde Spa...

16. IASTM Deep Tissue Massage Certificate Course

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Learn instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), a popular Myofascial Massage treatment (2 CEUs)...

17. Master Advanced High End Beauty Retouching in Photoshop

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Photoshop High End Beauty Retouch - Learn Professional Beauty Retouching Techniques and Get Desired Magazine Covers Look...

18. Learn Colombian Wood Therapy Maderoterapia

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from Colombian Wood Therapy Maderoterapia...

19. Cupping Massage Mastery

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Master Silicone Cupping in 2023 and Become the Go-To Therapist for Chronic Pain and Athletic Recovery...

20. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia

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Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...

Average beauty therapist salary by education level

According to our data, beauty therapists with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $35,876 annually. Beauty therapists with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $34,009.
Beauty therapist education levelBeauty therapist salary
High School Diploma or Less$33,059
Bachelor's Degree$35,876
Some College/ Associate Degree$34,009

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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