What is the difference between esthetician and beautician?

Author: Dawn Shanahan  |  Last update: Monday, October 6, 2025

Estheticians receive training specifically in skin care techniques and treatments. Cosmetologists receive broader training in a variety of beauty skills, including hairstyling, nail design, makeup art and more.

What's better, cosmetology or esthetician?

Overall, while both professions can be lucrative, estheticians often have the potential to earn slightly more, especially if they specialize in high-demand areas or upscale markets. However, individual earnings can vary widely based on personal circumstances and market conditions.

What can estheticians do that cosmetologists cannot?

Unlike cosmetologists, estheticians can perform more advanced skincare services like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and under a physician's supervision, laser treatments.

What is the difference between beauty and esthetics?

Answer and Explanation:

Beauty is a quality that gives a person pleasure to experience via one's sight, hearing, or even taste. Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the appreciation of beauty. Beauty is usually produced by nature or by some sort of art, including painting and sculpture.

Does a cosmetology license cover an esthetician?

For instance, while a cosmetologist in California may perform facials after completing the required hours during their cosmetology program, they would not be able to offer treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels unless they acquire additional esthetician certification.

Aesthetician vs Esthetician | Explained

Who makes more money, an esthetician or a cosmetologist?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for estheticians is $38,060. In contrast, cosmetologists earn a median income of $33,400 a year. The Bureau lists manicurists and pedicurists separately, but they have a similar median income of $31,130 per year.

Can a cosmetologist call themselves an esthetician?

Different states allow cosmetologists to transition into working as an esthetician with some additional education and training. Many states allow you to apply for esthetician certification if you're already certified in another state. Certain states require more hours to be certified, however, such as Alaska.

Can estheticians do Botox?

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.

What's higher than an esthetician?

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.

Do estheticians do makeup?

Estheticians are skilled professionals who provide non-ablative skincare treatments, hair removal services, and makeup application. Their expertise lies in assessing individual skin concerns and curating personalized solutions.

What are the disadvantages of an esthetician?

Cons of being an esthetician
  • Career advancement. There are not typically many career advancement opportunities for estheticians. ...
  • Physically demanding. While some people enjoy being active all day, for others, this physical demand is more of a drawback. ...
  • Starting salary. ...
  • Schedule.

What is the difference between a cosmetologist and a beautician?

When you attend school to become a beautician, you receive general training in hair styling, makeup application, and nail art. A cosmetologist undergoes the same training but may also have the option to take specialist courses in specific elements of beauty, such as makeup applications.

What can I do without an esthetician license?

There are many beauty services you can perform without an esthetician license, such as makeup application, lash lifts and tinting, brow shaping and tinting, spray tanning, non-invasive hair removal (such as sugaring or threading), and, in some states, basic manicures and pedicures.

Is it easier to get a cosmetology or esthetician license?

Estheticians and cosmetologists receive different licenses after undergoing specialized training. Estheticians are eligible to receive their licenses after approximately 600 hours of education. Comparatively, cosmetologists take about 1,500 hours of training courses.

Do estheticians make a lot of money?

Estheticians make the most money, on average, in these cities: San Jose, CA: $65,249 annually. Santa Clara, CA: $65,249 annually. Fremont, CA: $65,082 annually.

How long does it take to become an esthetician?

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.

What is a licensed esthetician called?

An aesthetician, also called a medical, paramedical or clinical aesthetician, is a licensed skincare professional who works in a clinical setting.

How to make $100,000 a year as an esthetician?

To make $100,000 a year as an esthetician, take the time to calculate clear revenue goals and then align your service offerings accordingly. For example, you can focus on offering high-ticket treatments or packages, such as monthly memberships for popular services, to help you reel in a six-figure esthetician salary.

What services can a cosmetologist not perform?

Cosmetologists provide a broad range of services to treat and beautify hair, nails, and skin. Many go on to become hairstylists, hair colorists, barbers, or makeup artists. While they can provide basic skin services, they do not offer advanced treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels.

Can estheticians do microneedling?

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.

What states allow estheticians to inject?

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.

What degree do you need to give 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.

Who is a beautician?

a trained person whose job it is to improve the appearance of a customer's face, body, and hair, using make-up and beauty treatments, often in a beauty salon. Beauty treatments.

What occupation does esthetician fall under?

Estheticians are beauty and personal care professionals with licenses to practice certain specialties. These professionals can provide cosmetic or clinical services to help their clients achieve a particular look or effect.

Do estheticians do waxing?

Estheticians specialize in skincare, offering services such as facials, waxing, and advanced skin treatments. However, they do not cut, style, or color hair.

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