How Much Do Estheticians Make? Salary by State (2026)
“How much do estheticians make?” is a common question for anyone considering a skincare career. Esthetician salaries vary widely by state, work setting, specialization, and experience level. This guide presents verified BLS wage data for estheticians across every state, explains what drives pay differences, and connects salary data to the cost of getting licensed.
Important: Salary data below comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Our database tracks licensing data. For the most current salary figures, visit bls.gov directly.
National Salary Overview
According to BLS data (May 2024), the national median annual wage for skincare specialists (which includes estheticians) is $41,560. Keep in mind that BLS data captures wages reported by employers — tips, commission bonuses, and income from self-employment or booth rental may not be fully reflected.
Esthetician Salary by State
The table below shows esthetician wages across all states with available BLS data, sorted by median annual salary from highest to lowest.
| State | Median | 25th Pctile | 75th Pctile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $73,500 | $48,080 | $88,670 | 160 |
| Washington | $64,880 | $52,000 | $96,980 | 2,000 |
| Vermont | $61,060 | $45,940 | $81,410 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $54,990 | $54,990 | $61,510 | 250 |
| North Dakota | $52,510 | $45,060 | $58,160 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $52,010 | $45,750 | $75,340 | 390 |
| Oregon | $52,000 | $34,470 | $96,270 | 750 |
| Colorado | $50,270 | $41,600 | $64,080 | 1,770 |
| Missouri | $49,410 | $40,660 | $69,790 | 900 |
| Delaware | $47,310 | $40,360 | $48,560 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $46,920 | $45,710 | $53,420 | 60 |
| Michigan | $46,620 | $37,210 | $58,650 | 1,920 |
| Arizona | $46,550 | $41,300 | $49,280 | 1,630 |
| Maryland | $46,420 | $35,070 | $60,560 | 960 |
| New Jersey | $46,130 | $37,080 | $55,530 | 2,030 |
| North Carolina | $46,120 | $33,590 | $56,510 | 2,170 |
| New York | $45,770 | $34,640 | $54,290 | 3,670 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $41,310 | $53,520 | 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $45,470 | $35,560 | $63,690 | 510 |
| Utah | $44,960 | $37,390 | $50,890 | 810 |
| Iowa | $44,400 | $33,690 | $45,760 | 700 |
| New Hampshire | $44,190 | $31,330 | $64,890 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $29,800 | $55,860 | 3,320 |
| Indiana | $43,900 | $31,560 | $50,950 | 1,520 |
| Texas | $42,940 | $28,450 | $60,300 | 5,510 |
| Georgia | $42,340 | $29,700 | $62,400 | 1,280 |
| Mississippi | $42,010 | $35,780 | $103,480 | 470 |
| Ohio | $41,660 | $27,040 | $54,610 | 1,730 |
| Louisiana | $41,340 | $31,460 | $62,100 | 520 |
| Idaho | $41,230 | $36,480 | $51,550 | 520 |
| Nevada | $40,700 | $30,490 | $51,460 | 1,090 |
| Montana | $39,620 | $31,010 | $65,430 | 150 |
| Alaska | $39,440 | $38,820 | $39,440 | 170 |
| Illinois | $38,580 | $33,380 | $47,550 | 1,630 |
| Rhode Island | $38,310 | $33,280 | $42,010 | N/A |
| Florida | $38,060 | $29,380 | $49,650 | 6,320 |
| West Virginia | $37,750 | $30,990 | $49,060 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $37,250 | $34,470 | $44,740 | 270 |
| California | $36,390 | $35,200 | $46,610 | 13,820 |
| Oklahoma | $36,320 | $24,960 | $51,000 | 490 |
| Kansas | $36,240 | $21,480 | $42,010 | 410 |
| Tennessee | $36,090 | $30,180 | $53,880 | 1,400 |
| New Mexico | $36,000 | $30,430 | $39,230 | 270 |
| Virginia | $35,860 | $32,590 | $40,360 | 1,390 |
| South Carolina | $35,810 | $24,590 | $51,480 | 1,110 |
| Alabama | $35,710 | $28,550 | $47,300 | 730 |
| Minnesota | $35,410 | $29,020 | $55,310 | 830 |
| South Dakota | $31,930 | $28,010 | $38,470 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $29,880 | $26,560 | $49,580 | 1,480 |
| Kentucky | $26,360 | $23,720 | $45,120 | 720 |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Estheticians
These states offer the highest median annual wages for estheticians according to BLS data:
Licensing Cost vs. Earning Potential
Esthetician licensing requires completing a state-approved education program (typically 600–1,500 hours depending on the state) plus government licensing fees. While education costs represent the largest investment, the government fees themselves are relatively modest compared to the national median salary of $41,560. Most estheticians can expect to recoup their total licensing investment within the first year of practice.
Our database tracks licensing costs across 8 states. See your state’s specific fees on our esthetician requirements page.
Factors That Affect Esthetician Pay
1. Location
As the state-by-state data shows, geography is a major pay driver. States with higher costs of living and larger populations of skincare-conscious consumers tend to pay estheticians more. Metro areas generally offer higher wages than rural regions within the same state.
2. Work Setting
Estheticians work in a range of settings — day spas, medical spas, dermatology offices, resorts, and salons. Medical spas and dermatology practices tend to pay higher wages due to the advanced procedures involved, while resort and hotel spas may offer competitive pay plus benefits.
3. Specialization
Estheticians who specialize in high-demand services like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments (where permitted by state scope of practice), or medical esthetics typically earn more per service. Advanced certifications and continued education open doors to higher-paying positions.
4. Tips and Commission
Like barbering and cosmetology, tips form a meaningful portion of esthetician income that BLS figures may not fully capture. Commission-based pay structures are common in spa settings, where estheticians may earn a base wage plus a percentage of service revenue and product sales.
5. Experience
Entry-level estheticians typically start at the lower end of the pay range and see steady increases as they build a client base and develop specialized skills. Experienced estheticians with loyal clientele have significantly more earning power, particularly if they move into booth rental or open their own practice.
Get Started: Esthetician Licensing Requirements
Ready to begin your esthetician career? Check your state’s specific licensing requirements, education hours, and fees:
Salary data on this page is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Licensing cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Actual earnings vary by location, experience, tips, and employment arrangement. Visit bls.gov for the most current figures.
Interested in This Career?
Check your state's licensing requirements, costs, and timeline to get started.