Skincare specialists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Mean (average) | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| 90th percentile | $82,050 | $39.45 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Skincare specialists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 51 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,260 | $26,540 | $73,180 | 590 | 0.6 |
| Alaska | $41,240 | $33,600 | $47,980 | 120 | 0.78 |
| Arizona | $50,470 | $38,650 | $103,950 | 1,710 | 1.13 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 | $23,580 | $57,770 | 340 | 0.56 |
| California | $38,770 | $34,650 | $77,160 | 11,360 | 1.33 |
| Colorado | $54,500 | $31,940 | $99,720 | 1,510 | 1.12 |
| Connecticut | $43,680 | $34,010 | $87,240 | 660 | 0.83 |
| Delaware | $50,820 | $31,200 | $96,650 | 130 | 0.55 |
| District of Columbia | $77,480 | $57,660 | $120,730 | 200 | 0.61 |
| Florida | $43,880 | $27,860 | $83,990 | 5,270 | 1.13 |
| Georgia | $48,660 | $32,670 | $68,630 | 2,230 | 0.97 |
| Hawaii | Data unavailable | 140 | 0.49 | ||
| Idaho | $34,130 | $21,630 | $55,560 | 720 | 1.8 |
| Illinois | $45,330 | $31,200 | $63,920 | 2,960 | 1.03 |
| Indiana | $44,450 | $24,440 | $66,670 | 1,120 | 0.75 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | $22,830 | $191,910 | 710 | 0.98 |
| Kansas | $45,760 | $28,880 | $65,180 | 420 | 0.62 |
| Kentucky | $38,580 | $26,340 | $81,610 | 830 | 0.89 |
| Louisiana | $36,890 | $20,340 | $64,650 | 600 | 0.66 |
| Maine | $55,850 | $34,520 | $100,190 | 260 | 0.87 |
| Maryland | $46,590 | $35,580 | $79,940 | 1,130 | 0.87 |
| Massachusetts | $47,310 | $36,610 | $60,320 | 1,360 | 0.8 |
| Michigan | $45,240 | $28,810 | $77,940 | 1,510 | 0.73 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 | $23,990 | $79,520 | 920 | 0.67 |
| Mississippi | $41,160 | $20,960 | $140,920 | 320 | 0.59 |
| Missouri | $45,200 | $29,790 | $81,710 | 1,390 | 1.01 |
| Montana | $58,500 | $35,130 | $96,780 | 280 | 1.15 |
| Nebraska | $58,420 | $44,300 | $122,250 | 550 | 1.14 |
| Nevada | $38,660 | $28,070 | $73,110 | 1,540 | 2.12 |
| New Hampshire | $46,890 | $27,560 | $83,200 | 430 | 1.33 |
| New Jersey | $45,870 | $35,180 | $80,980 | 2,660 | 1.32 |
| New Mexico | $47,230 | $30,010 | $90,770 | 370 | 0.9 |
| New York | $42,910 | $33,510 | $77,550 | 3,510 | 0.77 |
| North Carolina | $39,120 | $25,570 | $96,660 | 2,680 | 1.16 |
| North Dakota | $58,160 | $35,710 | $89,270 | 190 | 0.92 |
| Ohio | $39,150 | $28,350 | $74,030 | 1,700 | 0.65 |
| Oklahoma | $37,340 | $22,140 | $77,020 | 680 | 0.84 |
| Oregon | $52,110 | $35,900 | $105,660 | 1,070 | 1.17 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,620 | $22,870 | $69,820 | 2,560 | 0.9 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,440 | $22,410 | $33,870 | 330 | 0.75 |
| Rhode Island | $43,880 | $33,710 | $62,400 | 120 | 0.49 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 | $22,530 | $80,430 | 1,210 | 1.12 |
| South Dakota | $38,230 | $24,450 | $52,350 | 150 | 0.71 |
| Tennessee | $36,590 | $22,200 | $77,830 | 1,710 | 1.11 |
| Texas | $49,250 | $27,390 | $84,180 | 6,160 | 0.93 |
| Utah | $45,490 | $26,810 | $62,990 | 1,160 | 1.43 |
| Virginia | $39,350 | $31,530 | $67,520 | 1,970 | 1.02 |
| Washington | $79,320 | $48,620 | $119,040 | 2,200 | 1.32 |
| West Virginia | $38,030 | $25,650 | $60,550 | 80 | 0.26 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 | $22,830 | $65,590 | 1,190 | 0.87 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 | $39,490 | $81,790 | 100 | 0.72 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for skincare specialists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 14,200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 29.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for skincare specialists
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General CIP 12.0401
- Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist CIP 12.0408
- Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist CIP 12.0409
- Master Aesthetician/Esthetician CIP 12.0414
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Sterilize equipment and clean work areas.
- Cleanse clients' skin with water, creams, or lotions.
- Demonstrate how to clean and care for skin properly and recommend skin-care regimens.
- Determine which products or colors will improve clients' skin quality and appearance.
- Keep records of client needs and preferences and the services provided.
- Treat the facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance, using specialized techniques and products, such as peels and masks.
- Examine clients' skin, using magnifying lamps or visors when necessary, to evaluate skin condition and appearance.
- Perform simple extractions to remove blackheads.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Spa management software
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Instructing.
Common job titles: Aesthetician, Clinical Esthetician, Electrologist, Esthetician, Facialist, Medical Esthetician, Skin Therapist, Skincare Specialist, Skincare Therapist, Spa Technician (Spa Tech).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do skincare specialists make?
The national median annual wage for skincare specialists was $45,330 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $29,580 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $82,050. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do skincare specialists need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is skincare specialists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of skincare specialists to change +8.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 14,200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay skincare specialists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Washington ($79,320), District of Columbia ($77,480), Wyoming ($62,400). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.