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The differences between estheticians and licensed estheticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an esthetician has an average salary of $41,419, which is higher than the $40,911 average annual salary of a licensed esthetician.
The top three skills for an esthetician include customer service, excellent guest and cleanliness. The most important skills for a licensed esthetician are customer service, product knowledge, and spa services.
| Esthetician | Licensed Esthetician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,419 | $40,911 |
| Hourly rate | $19.91 | $19.67 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 3,747 | 13,427 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 35 | 35 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An esthetician is responsible for providing skincare solutions such as facial treatments, hair removal procedures, and makeup services. Estheticians must be highly-knowledgeable on various skin conditions to perform effective treatments and recommend maintenance skincare routines. An esthetician should also be strict on following hygienic procedures, ensuring sterilization of all the tools and equipment used for the procedures. They also respond to customer's inquiries and concerns regarding skincare health and sell products depending on the customers' needs.
Licensed Estheticians are responsible for cleaning and maintaining a client's skin. They normally provide services such as facials, pore cleansing, exfoliating, chemical peels, waxing, aromatherapy, and body wraps at a salon or spa. They are also trained to identify skin problems and can advise on a proper skin cleansing regimen. Estheticians can use their license to teach clients how to make up, such as learning proper shading to create the best skin tones and accentuating bone structure. Specialized services include eyebrow tinting and sculpting. A medical esthetician works in dermatology or plastic surgery, assisting with procedures and helping with its recovery process.
Estheticians and licensed estheticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Esthetician | Licensed Esthetician | |
| Average salary | $41,419 | $40,911 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $60,000 | Between $27,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Puyallup, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lancaster General Health | Equinox |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an esthetician and a licensed esthetician in terms of educational background:
| Esthetician | Licensed Esthetician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Cosmetology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between estheticians' and licensed estheticians' demographics:
| Esthetician | Licensed Esthetician | |
| Average age | 35 | 35 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 6.1% Female, 93.9% | Male, 4.5% Female, 95.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |