Post job

What is a licensed esthetician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Charley Sain

Licensed estheticians are beauty professionals that specialize in skincare, hair removal, and facials to help improve and maintain a client's skin and appearance. You will work with clients and engage them in conversation to know what they want, and you will examine the client's skin and recommend the appropriate treatment and product. Also, you will offer hair removal services, lashes extension, brow and eyelashes tinting, and head to toe waxing. You will also offer makeup cleansing services and sometimes train your clients on how to apply makeup. Plus, you will supervise to ensure that all equipment used is properly cleaned according to esthetician policy.

You should have great customer service skills, sales skills, communication skills, people skills, and time management skills. You should also be able to stand for a long period and maintain the client's confidentiality. Prior experience as an esthetician is more important than having a degree of any form. More importantly, a state license to practice is required. You will earn an average of $43,267 per year.

What general advice would you give to a licensed esthetician?

Charley SainCharley Sain LinkedIn profile

Cosmetology Instructor, Program Coordinator for Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Manicuring, Cleveland Community College

My advice to a new professional would be to work hard, continue your education, and never give up. The beauty industry rapidly changes, due to modern technology, so it is imperative to continue your education and continue your professional growth. It is essential to work hard because building a clientele can be challenging, especially during these times. Do not let those challenges get you down; stay focused, and keep your eye on your goals.
ScoreLicensed EstheticianUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $40,911

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.5

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 8.65%

Black or African American 5.06%

Hispanic or Latino 16.29%

Unknown 6.40%

White 63.26%

Gender

female 95.45%

male 4.55%

Age - 33
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 33
Stress level
4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.7

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Licensed esthetician career paths

Key steps to become a licensed esthetician

  1. Explore licensed esthetician education requirements

    Most common licensed esthetician degrees

    Bachelor's

    37.3 %

    Associate

    26.8 %

    Diploma

    12.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific licensed esthetician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service36.07%
    Product Knowledge20.48%
    Spa Services13.97%
    PCA3.51%
    Product Line2.80%
  3. Complete relevant licensed esthetician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New licensed estheticians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a licensed esthetician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real licensed esthetician resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed licensed esthetician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed licensed esthetician in most of states. 38 states require licensed estheticians to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense url
    AlabamaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredLicensed Esthetician
    AlaskaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredEsthetician
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredEsthetician
    ColoradoSpecific course requiredState exam requiredEstheticians
    DelawareSpecific course requiredThird-party exam requiredAesthetican
  5. Research licensed esthetician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the aesthetics department and perform consultations with patients regarding aesthetic and facial surgery procedures.
    • Maintain product displays, and general cleanliness of facility.
    • Maintain cleanliness, organization, and stock of treatment areas.
    • Provide expert head to toe waxing services, lash and brow tinting, lash extensions and makeup applications.
  6. Prepare your licensed esthetician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your licensed esthetician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a licensed esthetician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable licensed esthetician resume templates

    Build a professional licensed esthetician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your licensed esthetician resume.
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
    Licensed Esthetician Resume
  7. Apply for licensed esthetician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a licensed esthetician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first licensed esthetician job

Zippi

Are you a licensed esthetician?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average licensed esthetician salary

The average licensed esthetician salary in the United States is $40,911 per year or $20 per hour. Licensed esthetician salaries range between $27,000 and $61,000 per year.

Average licensed esthetician salary
$40,911 Yearly
$19.67 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do licensed estheticians rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Licensed esthetician reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2021
Pros

Helping people with their self confidence by correcting their skin’s imperfections and overall health.

Cons

Poorly managed practices that don’t prioritize patient’s satisfaction through care.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2021
Cons

I like everything there is no such dislike being skin specialist.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Cons

Working all weekends, being in tons of social interactions a day, high stress situations, work comes home with you, getting criticism online, lots of disinfection and cleaning, lots of interaction with coworkers. Some days at work I want To go hide in the bathroom to avoid anymore social interaction and stress from dealing with the public all day.


Working as a licensed esthetician? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse personal care and attendants jobs