by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 741 U.S. colleges awarded 38,219 degrees and certificates in Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 89% of graduates. College Factual ranks 589 schools in its 2027 Best Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing, rising to $26,912 after four years.
Studying Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist covers Aesthetician/esthetician And Skin Care Specialist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Cleanse, Depilate, Massage, And Beautify The Human Body And To Function As Licensed Estheticians And Skin Care Specialists. Includes Instruction In Skin Anatomy, Physiology, And Health; Principles Of Nutrition; Decontamination And Infection Control; Health And Safety; Facial And Body Massage; Body Wrapping And Spa Treatments; Temporary Hair Removal Including Waxing And Tweezing; Color And Skin Analysis; Client Consultation And Care; Applicable Laws And Regulations; Business Practices; And Sometimes Related Alternative Healing Regimens. Examples: [Waxing], [Basic Aesthetician/esthetician].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist draws strong interest, with 38,219 degrees awarded annually. 741 colleges award aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degrees, an average of 52 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 893.
By level, the 38,219 awards include 3,907 certificates, 65 associate degrees and 33,985 master’s degrees.
Women earned 99% of aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degrees and certificates in the latest year (37,788 of 38,219). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (15,761) and Hispanic or Latino (11,068), and international students earned 102.
College Factual ranks 589 schools in its 2027 Best Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools ranking, including 12 for associate degrees. It also ranks aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools within 3 states. In all, 741 colleges offer aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist credential is the master’s degree: 33,985 of the 38,219 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist call most for Speaking, Service Orientation and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,907 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 65 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 33,985 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist, at 39.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 30.2% |
| Master’s degree | 19.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist, with an average median salary of $60,954; the strongest outlook belongs to Skincare Specialists, at 0.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Skincare Therapist, Licensed Aesthetician, Brow Waxing Expert and Waxing Specialist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist, at 23,098.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | 23,098 | 0.5% |
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing their program, $26,912 after four years and $22,624 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,621 |
| 4 years | $26,912 |
| 5 years | $22,624 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist, with a median salary of $60,954.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | $60,954 |
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist has 12 similar majors in the Personal & Culinary Services field, which together award 94,999 degrees a year; the largest are Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (56,828), Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist (14,526) and Barbering/Barber (12,249). Browse all Personal & Culinary Services majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 56,828 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,526 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,249 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,592 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,499 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 2,242 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,479 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,259 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 546 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 374 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
