Skincare Specialists earn a median of $45,330 per year ($21.79/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 8.8% through 2035, with about 14,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 39-5094
- Personal Care and Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Skincare Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $45,330a year, or $21.79/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $30KTop 10% $82K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +8.8%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+8.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +8.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 14,200104,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025104.2K
- Projected 2035113.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 104.2K Projected 2035 113.3K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school39.2%
- Certificate30.2%
- Some college8.8%
- Master's19.2%
- Post-doctoral training2.7%
Highest education held by skincare specialists Segment Value High school 39.2% Certificate 30.2% Some college 8.8% Master's 19.2% Post-doctoral training 2.7%
Also advertised as: Aesthetician, Clinical Esthetician, Electrologist, Esthetician, Facialist, Medical Esthetician.
Pay
How much do Skincare Specialists make?
Every skincare specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$45,330
Middle half earn $36,040 to $59,700
- 10th
- $29,580
- 25th
- $36,040
- 75th
- $59,700
- 90th
- $82,050
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $29,580 |
| 25th | $36,040 |
| Median | $45,330 |
| 75th | $59,700 |
| 90th | $82,050 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $45,330
- Median hourly wage
- $21.79/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $51,850
- People employed
- 72,890
Versus all US occupations
At $45,330, Skincare Specialists earn 11% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,650 a year.
Versus personal care and service occupations
Inside the Personal Care and Service group, where the middle occupation pays $38,120, this is 19% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $82,050 or more while the bottom 10% earn $29,580, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 12% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $79,320, and still leads at $74,122 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Skincare Specialists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $79,320 | $74,122 | 2,200 |
| 2District of Columbia | $77,480 | $70,500 | 200 |
| 3Wyoming | $62,400 | $67,320 | 100 |
| 4Montana | $58,500 | $61,810 | 280 |
| 5Nebraska | $58,420 | $64,837 | 550 |
| 6North Dakota | $58,160 | $65,378 | 190 |
| 7Maine | $55,850 | $57,548 | 260 |
| 8Colorado | $54,500 | $52,886 | 1,510 |
| 9Oregon | $52,110 | $50,416 | 1,070 |
| 10Delaware | $50,820 | $50,918 | 130 |
Job outlook
Is Skincare Specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +8.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | +8.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Skincare Specialists to change 8.8% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.5× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 9,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 14,200 openings are projected each year, 13.6% of the 104,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The projected increase in employment reflects demand for services being offered, such as mini-sessions (quick facials at a lower cost) and mobile facials (making house calls) directly from skincare specialists rather than hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Employment growth also should result from the desire among many women and a growing number of men who seek out skincare services to reduce the effects of aging, to look good on social media platforms, and to lead a healthier lifestyle through better grooming.
Getting in
How to become a Skincare Specialist
Skincare specialists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program and then pass a state exam for licensure.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as skincare specialists.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)39.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate30.2%
- Master's Degree19.2%
- Some College Courses8.8%
- Post-Doctoral Training2.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 39.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 30.2% |
| Master's Degree | 19.2% |
| Some College Courses | 8.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Skincare Specialist do?
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance. Includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists.
Skincare specialists, also known as estheticians, provide cleansing and other face and body treatments to enhance a person’s appearance.
Day-to-day tasks
- Keep records of client needs and preferences and the services provided.
- Stay abreast of latest industry trends, products, research, and treatments.
- Examine clients' skin, using magnifying lamps or visors when necessary, to evaluate skin condition and appearance.
- Treat the facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance, using specialized techniques and products, such as peels and masks.
- Demonstrate how to clean and care for skin properly and recommend skin-care regimens.
- Sterilize equipment and clean work areas.
- Cleanse clients' skin with water, creams, or lotions.
- Refer clients to medical personnel for treatment of serious skin problems.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Part-time work is common for skincare specialists. Work schedules may vary and include evenings and weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where skincare specialists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Personal care services52%
- Self-employed workers29%
- Offices of physicians6%
- Health and personal care retailers3%
- Traveler accommodation3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Personal care services | 52% |
| Self-employed workers | 29% |
| Offices of physicians | 6% |
| Health and personal care retailers | 3% |
| Traveler accommodation | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.8
- Active Listening3.5
- Monitoring3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Writing2.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Instructing2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Persuasion2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Persuasion | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Skincare Specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Skincare Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Realistic5.5
- Social4.2
- Conventional3.4
- Enterprising3.1
- Artistic3.0
- Investigative2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Skincare Specialist
O*NET related occupations
- Personal Care and Service
- Personal Care and Service
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Personal Care and Service
More personal care and service careers
Median annual pay, with skincare specialists highlighted
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$47,160
- Skincare Specialist$45,330
- Concierge$38,950
- Tour Guide and Escort$38,120
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$35,760
- Nanny$34,980
- Childcare Worker$34,980
- Gambling Dealer$34,320
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 |
| Concierge | $38,950 |
| Tour Guide and Escort | $38,120 |
| Hairstylist | $35,790 |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 |
| Nanny | $34,980 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within skincare specialist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Skincare Specialist appears on
Questions
Skincare Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Skincare Specialists make?
Skincare Specialists earn a median of $45,330 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.79/hr. The middle half earn between $36,040 and $59,700. The top 10% earn $82,050 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Skincare Specialist?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Skincare Specialists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 39.2% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Skincare Specialist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.8% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 14,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Skincare Specialist do?
Skincare specialists, also known as estheticians, provide cleansing and other face and body treatments to enhance a person’s appearance. A core O*NET task: keep records of client needs and preferences and the services provided. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Presentation software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Skincare Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Skincare Specialists are Washington ($79,320), District of Columbia ($77,480), Wyoming ($62,400) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Skincare Specialist?
O*NET scores Skincare Specialists highest on the Realistic, Social and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.