Esthetician Salary

The average esthetician salary is calculated by the US Government Bureau of Labor Statistics from a variety of sources. estheticians work in a number of settings including physicians offices, clinics and salons.  An esthetician salary will vary depending on the location and the setting. The assumption was made that the estheticians reflected here were working an average of 40 hours per week with a total of 2080 hours per year.  Estheticians are listed by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as Skin Care Specialists. 

Esthetician Salary: Median Hourly & Annual Data

Hourly

An esthetician median salary is $11.22 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $6.67 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $21.43 per hour..

Annually

On an annual basis  an esthetician earns $23,340 The lowest 10% earn less than $14,000 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $44,000 per year. These salaries are calculated as a mean or average.

Lowest and Highest Esthetician Salary

The lowest paid estheticians earn less with mean or average wages below $7.00 per hour.  Presumably this is offset by costs of living and other factors. The lower pay levels are associated with rural areas.  The highest pay levels are found in major metropolitan areas where the mean or average wage is over $26.00 per hour. Demand and low supply seem to be a significant factor in fueling higher salaries.   

Top 5 States

The best states to earn an esthetician salary are Nevada $38,690, Oregon $35,590 Washington $34,940, Nebraska $34,000, and Massachusetts $33,660.

 Top 5 Metropolitan Areas

The best city or metropolitan areas to earn an esthetician salary are Reno-Sparks NV $54,570, Raleigh-Cary NC $47,270, San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City CA $44,640, Tucson AZ $41,760, and Boulder CO $41,710.

Other Industries that Employ Esthetician's

The recreation and amusement industry, hotel and other traveler accommodation industry and Druggists goods wholesale marketers also employ estheticians.

Employment Data

It is estimated that there are 22,740 estheticians employed in the U.S.

Where They Work

Over 22,740 estheticians work in personal care services. These include day spas and salons. Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists as well as other physicians offices employ over 1400 of these skin care specialists.  A number of them work in health stores.

Private Practice Vs Employment

An Esthetician salary can be earned as an employee or as an independent contractor or private practice.  Many large chains employ the workers and provide some sort of bonus for productivity.  If the arrangement is independent contractor the esthetician, barber, hairdresser will rent space from the retail outlet and pay for thier own supplies. They may pay a percentage of thier gross receipts to the retail outlet.

People in this line of work frequently open thier own salon or spa. This is a typical small business arrangement and knowledge how to run a business is as important as knowing how to cut hair.

Benefits

Fringe benefits will vary depending on business size and other factors. To see what a typical benefits package is worth  A typical employment benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year.