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Medical esthetician vs licensed esthetician

The differences between medical estheticians and licensed estheticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a licensed esthetician has an average salary of $40,911, which is higher than the $39,890 average annual salary of a medical esthetician.

The top three skills for a medical esthetician include patients, laser hair removal and product sales. The most important skills for a licensed esthetician are customer service, product knowledge, and spa services.

Medical esthetician vs licensed esthetician overview

Medical EstheticianLicensed Esthetician
Yearly salary$39,890$40,911
Hourly rate$19.18$19.67
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs47,66713,427
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age3535
Years of experience--

What does a medical esthetician do?

A medical esthetician specializes in skincare and works mostly within the field of dermatology. They are required to offer a number of services, including recommending procedures, providing consultations, diagnosing skin conditions, providing treatments, and reducing aging effects. They are responsible for developing treatment plans to suit a variety of clients' needs.

What does a licensed esthetician do?

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.

Medical esthetician vs licensed esthetician salary

Medical estheticians and licensed estheticians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical EstheticianLicensed Esthetician
Average salary$39,890$40,911
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $61,000Between $27,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-Puyallup, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Equinox
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical esthetician and licensed esthetician education

There are a few differences between a medical esthetician and a licensed esthetician in terms of educational background:

Medical EstheticianLicensed Esthetician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorCosmetologyBusiness
Most common college--

Medical esthetician vs licensed esthetician demographics

Here are the differences between medical estheticians' and licensed estheticians' demographics:

Medical EstheticianLicensed Esthetician
Average age3535
Gender ratioMale, 4.0% Female, 96.0%Male, 4.5% Female, 95.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical esthetician and licensed esthetician duties and responsibilities

Medical esthetician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the aesthetics department and perform consultations with patients regarding aesthetic and facial surgery procedures.
  • Assist the physician in daily dermatology medical practice involving surgery, Botox, laser, biopsies, and patient care.
  • Assist surgeon in administering collagen and botox.
  • Deliver informative education to patients regarding multiple skincare product lines and treatments/procedures offer within the medical practice.
  • Assist in the execution of special events, seasonal gift with purchase within Nordstrom and holiday programs.

Licensed esthetician example 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.
  • Provide extend services such as: full body waxing, teeth whitening, lash and brow tinting, etc.
  • Experience in aromatherapy, anti-aging and acne facials.
  • Show more

Medical esthetician vs licensed esthetician skills

Common medical esthetician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Laser Hair Removal, 10%
  • Product Sales, 8%
  • Skin Care Products, 6%
  • IPL, 5%
  • Eyelash Extensions, 5%
Common licensed esthetician skills
  • Customer Service, 36%
  • Product Knowledge, 20%
  • Spa Services, 14%
  • PCA, 4%
  • Product Line, 3%
  • Cleanliness, 3%

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