Barbers
Median wage · national
$38,210
Range: $32K – $59K
Employed
15K
Openings/yr
8K
Typically: postsecondary nondegree award
TRADES
Skincare Specialists
Skincare Specialists earn $45,330 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $36,040 and $59,700. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Skincare Specialists
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance. Includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists.
- Median Wage
- $45,330
- Employed Nationally
- 73K
- Openings / Year
- 14,500
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Aesthetic RN Injector (Aesthetic Registered Nurse Injector)
Aesthetician
Beautician
Beauty Therapist
Brow Waxing Expert
How Much Do Skincare Specialists Make?
Skincare Specialists earn $45,330 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,040 and $59,700. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$45,330
National Median (Annual)
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$36K–$60K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$36,040
Entry-level
$45,330
Median
$59,700
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $51,850, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Skincare Specialists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Skincare Specialists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Service Orientation
Active Listening
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Skincare Specialists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Low
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
What Is the Job Outlook for Skincare Specialists?
The BLS projects +6.7% employment change for Skincare Specialists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 14,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +6.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
14,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
73K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Skincare Specialists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $45,330 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 13,820 | $36,390 | -19.7% |
| 2 | Florida | 6,320 | $38,060 | -16.0% |
| 3 | Texas | 5,510 | $42,940 | -5.3% |
| 4 | New York | 3,670 | $45,770 | +1.0% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 3,320 | $43,920 | -3.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Skincare Specialists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosmetology | 132,103 | — | 1,625 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Skincare Specialists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chipola College Marianna, FL | 88 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| 2 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 3 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FL | 86 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| 4 | Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL | 86 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| 5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN | 86 | $6,631 | $40,869 |
| 6 | Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, MS | 85 | $2,525 | $33,227 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Skincare Specialists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Skincare Specialists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Skincare Specialists Pros & Cons
The data on Skincare Specialists shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +6.7% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Modest median salary At $45,330 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
Skincare Specialists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Skincare Specialists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Skincare Specialists is $45,330, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,040 and $59,700. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Skincare Specialists a good career?
Skincare Specialists involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $45,330 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +6.7% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How do I become a Skincare Specialists?
Most Skincare Specialists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Cosmetology are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Skincare Specialists?
The BLS projects +6.7% employment change for Skincare Specialists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 14,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 73K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Skincare Specialists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Skincare Specialists roles: Speaking, Service Orientation, Active Listening, Monitoring, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Bachelor's degree
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-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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