Earning the National Esthetician Certification is the highest voluntary credential in the United States, elevating professional standards beyond entry-level licensure.
Some types of specialized estheticians include skin care technicians, who apply targeted treatments to help with facial skin care issues like aging or texture, wax technicians, who perform hair removal wax treatments and spa therapists, who use massage and aromatherapy principles for relaxation.
LEVEL 3: CREATIVE. In the Creative phase of the skin program, the Future Professionals discover new industry information and trends. They are inspired to develop their craft by learning how to “expand the rules” and individualize the service to each service guest's needs.
The best Esthetician jobs can pay up to $155,000 per year.
They may also recommend cleansers, creams, and other skin care products and provide advice on skin care. Some estheticians, called medical estheticians or paramedical estheticians, work in medical clinics.
A medical esthetician will provide advanced, medical-level skincare. They are trained to be familiar with chemistry, nutrition, pharmacology and advanced makeup techniques, working with chemical peels, exfoliants and other, more intensive treatments.
Although estheticians cannot give Botox injections, many alternatives to Botox can be provided by estheticians and fall within their scope of practice. You can choose one of these alternatives as a stand-alone option or get these treatments in conjunction with Botox to make the effects last longer.
The purpose of the Qualifi Level 4 Diploma in Aesthetic along with associated certificates, is to equip learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to perform advanced beauty therapy and aesthetic procedures. This will enable learners to work as practitioners in this field.
Both are professionals that are highly specialized in skincare professionals, but an aesthetician typically performs medical procedures, whereas an esthetician will perform cosmetic and maintenance procedures.
Esthetics (Basic-Level 1) is designed for the individual wanting to pursue a career in Basic Esthetics. Learning all fundamentals of skincare including facials, waxing, eyelash extensions, body treatments and more.
When it comes to making the most as an esthetician, the more services you specialize in, the better. Services such as eyelashes, microblading, and waxing can help your earnings significantly. It also helps to do research on trending services that are in demand, bringing in more business.
On average, esthetician programs can range from 600 to 1,500 hours, with some states requiring more extensive training than others. In the state of California, an esthetician license requires 600 hours of training.
However, on average, an esthetician can expect to make between $40,000 and $60,000 annually. The average salary for cosmetologists can fall between $25,000 and $40,000 annually.
The Certified Esthetician credential, offered by NCEA Certified, represents a gold standard in the field of esthetics. This certification demonstrates an individual's commitment to the highest standards of practice, encompassing advanced knowledge and proficiency in skin care.
Top 65 Highest Paying States for Esthetician Jobs in the U.S. We've identified 15 states where the typical salary for an Esthetician job is above the national average. Topping the list is Washington, with District of Columbia and New York close behind in second and third.
Dermatologists have a higher earning potential because of the extensive education and training their profession requires. The salary for either profession can vary based on the living cost, experience and demand in your area.
Esthetician salary—yearly median in each state. The BLS classifies estheticians as skincare specialists in their Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (OES). According to their 2023 OES, the median annual salary for skincare specialists nationwide is $43,200. That comes out to about $21 per hour.
Here's the key difference: licensure is a legal requirement, while certification is often optional.
If you are looking to help clients improve their skin and feel their best, then you might want to pursue the esthetician path. On the other hand, if you love learning and ultimately want to provide medical treatments and minimally invasive procedures, then you might look into becoming a board-certified dermatologist.
This qualification will prepare learners for employment and support a range of roles in the workplace. This qualification provides a specialist work-related programme of study that provides breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, along with practical skills required in the aesthetics sector.
The ProQual Level 6 Diploma in Aesthetic Practice provides a nationally recognised qualification and progression pathway for those working in the beauty industry, and who are already experienced and qualified to carry out a range of aesthetic techniques such as micropigmentation and dermaplaning.
So, what degree do you need to be an esthetician? You don't need a conventional college degree for this career. Instead, you must finish a state-approved esthetician training program, which you can find at beauty schools, community colleges, or specialized esthetician schools.
Who can perform it? It is most often performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. In California, aestheticians cannot penetrate the skin and should not perform microneedling.
In the U.S., no state allows estheticians to perform Botox treatments on their own. Your local state laws (or country) will significantly determine what an esthetician can do. They can perform medical procedures in some states, however, they are still not allowed to provide Botox injections.
To give Botox injections, you must be a physician, physician assistant, dentist, registered nurses or nurse practitioners, and other licensed healthcare practitioners. In most cases, the minimum degree requirement for most professionals is a four-year bachelor's degree in pre-medicine, biology, or related science.