What Is an Esthetician & How to Become One: An Esthetician Career Guide

If you’ve explored information about the skincare industry, you may have heard about the career paths for estheticians and wondered: What is an esthetician, what training does an esthetician receive, and how long does it take to become one?

If you’re ready to discover the next steps in this beauty profession, keep reading to learn about the job requirements, career options, and educational path you can pursue to become an esthetician.

What Is an Esthetician? 

In most states, an esthetician, or skincare specialist, is a licensed professional who helps clients preserve and maintain their skin through specialized treatment services. Estheticians are sometimes called “aestheticians” or “skincare therapists.” 

An esthetician’s goal is to provide personalized treatment to enhance a person’s skin. Estheticians also help clients maintain a healthy appearance and a positive skin image.

You can think of an esthetician as a licensed professional who performs body therapy services for your skin.

What Does an Esthetician Do?

Here’s a list of the responsibilities an esthetician can have:

• Facials: Facial services include treatments designed to remove impurities and dead skin.

• Extractions: This is a cleansing procedure involving the removal of blackheads and clogged pores.

• Hair removal: This involves tweezing, threading, and removing unwanted hair.

• Makeup advice: Trained professionals can consult clients on makeup techniques for daily looks and special occasions.

• Facial massage: Estheticians use massage to help increase skin circulation, relax muscles, and release toxins. 

• Chemical peels: This is a procedure where chemical solutions are applied to smooth the skin and decrease wrinkles. 

** Some advanced services may require additional training and may not be permitted under all esthetics licenses.

What an Esthetician Doesn’t Do

Estheticians are not dermatologists and do not provide the same services medical professionals do. Dermatologists perform medical procedures to treat critical skin conditions, including rashes, hives, nail infections, and skin cancers. Estheticians focus on the cosmetic treatment of a person’s skin.

Esthetician Career Paths

Estheticians are not bound to one job title. Below are some available career paths for estheticians. Keep in mind, some of these careers require additional training and education. Always check your state’s and program’s requirements before pursuing a specific title. 

Salon Esthetician 

Salon estheticians provide skincare services like facials, waxing, and lash extensions. These professionals focus on educating clients on proper skincare routines, including product recommendations. Salon estheticians can also work in several establishments, including salons, spas, and wellness clinics. 

Makeup Artist

Are you creative and love helping people look and feel beautiful? If so, consider becoming a makeup artist. A lot of variety exists in the makeup artistry field, as you can work in salons, department stores, and spas; at special events such as weddings; and even in the fashion and entertainment industries. 

Keep in mind that, in the entertainment industry, makeup artists may need to join a union. These unions, such as IATSE Local 706, represent makeup artists and hairstylists. Union membership is often required for certain productions. This may involve meeting specific work experience requirements and paying membership dues. 

Laser Hair Removal Technician

A laser hair removal technician specializes in hair removal procedures. These professionals identify the characteristics of a client’s skin, work with high-tech equipment, and determine the most appropriate laser instrument. Many salons offer hair removal services, making it an in-demand occupation. 

Be aware that the requirements to become a hair removal technician vary by state. Georgia, for example, requires a state license unless you are a medical doctor. 

Is Esthetician a Good Career?

Deciding whether a career as an esthetician is the right choice for you will depend on several factors, including your work preferences, goals, and how much you enjoy interacting with clients on skin-related matters. Here are a few benefits of working as an esthetician.

Pros of Becoming an Esthetician

• Helping others—You can inspire clients to feel good about their skin and overall appearance.
• Job options—The skincare industry can help open employment opportunities in salons, spas, and doctor’s offices.
• Professional development—You can develop critical interpersonal skills by building meaningful client relationships. These are in-demand skills you can apply to any profession, should you decide to switch careers or specialties.
• Entrepreneurial opportunities—Depending on your goals, you can start a business and expand your cosmetic services to attract more clients.

So what’s the bottom line—is an esthetician a good career?

Here’s the thing: Healthy skin isn’t just nice to have—it’s vitally important for our overall health. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, so maintaining a proper skincare regimen is crucial. A career as an esthetician is not only a vital job but an important and noble profession.

Ask yourself: Are you passionate about skin care and empowering clients to develop long-term, skincare habits? If so, a career as an esthetician may be ideal for you.

** Career satisfaction, job opportunities, and professional outcomes vary based on individual factors such as location, experience, work setting, and market demand. Completion of an esthetics program does not guarantee employment or career advancement.

How Much Does an Esthetician Make?

As of August 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics* showed that skincare specialists, including estheticians, receive an average annual wage of $41,560, with a median hourly wage of $19.98. Please note that these numbers fluctuate based on geographic location and industry type. For example, an esthetician working in a physician’s office in Texas may not earn the same amount as one working in a health and personal care retail setting in Connecticut. 

** These wage figures reflect national averages and medians reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and do not represent starting wages or guaranteed earnings. Individual earnings vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, employer, hours worked, and type of practice. Most entry-level estheticians may earn less than the stated averages.

Going forward, the skincare specialist industry is showing promise. The latest job outlook statistics (August 2025) indicate that this career is expected to grow by 7% between 2024 and 2034, further reinforcing the need for skincare specialists.*

** Projected job growth reflects overall industry trends and does not guarantee job availability, job placement, or income for any individual graduate.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Esthetician?

The time it takes to become an esthetician depends on your state’s requirements, the length of your program, and whether you’re a full-time student. Some states set different requirements for practice hours. If you decide to complete an apprenticeship program instead of enrolling in a school, you may be required to complete more hours. 

For example, in Alabama, you must complete 2,000 hours of an apprenticeship program before receiving a license, but only 1,000 if you go through an esthetics school. In Delaware, you must complete 1,200 hours through an apprenticeship, but only 600 hours in a licensed esthetician program. 

** Program completion prepares students to apply for licensure but does not guarantee licensure, exam passage, employment, or earnings. Program hours vary based on state requirements and are subject to change.

How to Get an Esthetician License and Launch an Esthetician Career

What does the education path for estheticians look like? A typical one consists of training through approved programs and passing state-mandated exams. You’ll also need to acquire a license, and licensing requirements may differ by state.

School

Your esthetician education starts with gaining a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. You’ll want to choose a school that provides ample time to practice and sharpen your skills so you’ll have all the theory and practical knowledge you’ll need to prepare for your state board exams. 

Paul Mitchell Schools offer a three-level esthetics program designed to provide prospective students like you with scientific skincare knowledge and hands-on opportunities to receive training from credible professionals.

We offer several financial aid options to those who qualify, so you can apply for the funding you need to pursue your path as a skincare professional.

** Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Not all programs or locations participate in federal financial aid programs.

Licensing

How do you get an esthetician license? Almost every state requires students to complete theory and practical exams before receiving their license. Some states use the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology exam as their licensure test. Other states rely on tests from other organizations.

To give you an idea of what a practical exam covers, in Georgia, you will be tested on: 

• Cleansing of a face with a product
• Facial makeup 
• Blood exposure procedure
• Eyebrow hair removal by tweezing
• Facial mask
• Workstation setup
• Face exfoliation with products

To continue with the previous example, the Georgia theory exam covers the following:

• Scientific concepts
• Skin care and services

Again, check with your nearest program for more information on licensing requirements.

Prepare to Become an Esthetician at a Paul Mitchell School

Becoming an esthetician can lead to a rewarding profession. You help clients embrace their beauty through recommended skincare habits. Paul Mitchell Schools offer education designed to help you prepare for state boards in the beauty care industry.

If you are passionate about becoming an esthetician, we have the resources to help you start your journey. See what makes our learning environment unique. 

Contact us to learn more.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Skincare Specialists,

at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/skincare-specialists.htm (visited December 07, 2025).

*Regulations, licensing requirements, permitted services, and scope of practice vary by state.