by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 53 U.S. colleges awarded 2,242 degrees and certificates in Master Aesthetician/Esthetician. Certificates are the most popular award, at 61% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing, rising to $26,912 after four years.
A major in Master Aesthetician/Esthetician explores Master Aesthetician/esthetician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Massage And Treat The Face, Neck, And Body With Advanced Chemical And Cosmetic Preparations And Esthetic Medical Treatments, And To Function As Licensed Master Or Medical Estheticians In Dermatologists' And Plastic Surgeons' Offices As Well As In Salons And Spas. Includes Instruction In Advanced Anatomy And Physiology, Skin Properties And Disorders, Sanitation And Infection Control, Advanced Facial Treatments, Spa Body Treatments, Advanced Extractions, Corrective Makeup, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Lymphatic Drainage And Advanced Massage Techniques, Pre- And Post-Operative Esthetic Skin Care, Client/patient Evaluation And Care, Applicable Laws And Regulations, And Business Practices. Examples: [Medical Aesthetician/esthetician], [Advanced Aesthetician/esthetician], [Advanced Paramedical Aesthetician/esthetician].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, master aesthetician/esthetician is a widely-pursued major, with 2,242 degrees awarded annually. 53 colleges award master aesthetician/esthetician degrees, an average of 42 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 212.
By level, the 2,242 awards include 1,364 certificates, 5 associate degrees and 873 master’s degrees.
Women earned 99% of master aesthetician/esthetician degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,215 of 2,242). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,136) and Hispanic or Latino (535), and international students earned 2.
The most common master aesthetician/esthetician credential is the certificate: 1,364 of the 2,242 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to master aesthetician/esthetician 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 Near Vision, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a master aesthetician/esthetician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,364 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 873 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to master aesthetician/esthetician, 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 Master Aesthetician/Esthetician, 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 Aesthetician, Medical Aesthetician, Electrolysis Operator and Waxing Specialist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to master aesthetician/esthetician, at 23,098.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | 23,098 | 0.5% |
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 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 master aesthetician/esthetician, with a median salary of $60,954.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | $60,954 |
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician has 12 similar majors in the Personal & Culinary Services field, which together award 130,976 degrees a year; the largest are Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (56,828), Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist (38,219) and Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist (14,526). Browse all Personal & Culinary Services majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 56,828 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 38,219 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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