Esthetician salary: how much does an esthetician make?
An esthetician in the US earns a median of $45,330 a year, about $21.79 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,580 and the top 10% earn over $82,050. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Washington, has a median of $79,320.
Esthetician pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does an esthetician make an hour?
The median esthetician earns $21.79 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $14.22 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39.45 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Lower 25% | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Median (typical) | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Upper 25% | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Top 10% | $82,050 | $39.45 |
Esthetician salary by state
Median annual pay for estheticians by state, from BLS May 2025 data. “Not published” means BLS did not release a figure for that state, usually because too few employers reported this job there.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Alaska | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Arizona | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| California | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Colorado | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Connecticut | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Delaware | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| District of Columbia | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| Florida | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Georgia | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Hawaii | Not published | – |
| Idaho | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| Illinois | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Indiana | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Kansas | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Kentucky | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Louisiana | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Maine | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| Maryland | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Massachusetts | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Michigan | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Mississippi | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Missouri | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Montana | $58,500 | $28.12 |
| Nebraska | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| Nevada | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| New Hampshire | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| New Jersey | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| New Mexico | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| New York | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| North Carolina | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| North Dakota | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Ohio | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Oklahoma | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Oregon | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Rhode Island | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| South Dakota | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Tennessee | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Texas | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Utah | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Vermont | Not published | – |
| Virginia | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Washington | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| West Virginia | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 | $30.00 |
Highest-paying states for estheticians
- Washington: $79,320 median
- District of Columbia: $77,480 median
- Wyoming: $62,400 median
- Montana: $58,500 median
- Nebraska: $58,420 median
The lowest published medians are in Idaho ($34,130), Arkansas ($36,520), Tennessee ($36,590), Louisiana ($36,890), Iowa ($37,080). The most esthetician jobs are in California (11,360 jobs), Texas (6,160 jobs), Florida (5,270 jobs), New York (3,510 jobs), Illinois (2,960 jobs).
How much does an esthetician make a month?
At the median salary of $45,330, an esthetician earns about $3,778 a month, $1,743 every two weeks or $872 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced esthetician pay
New estheticians typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,580 a year and the lowest 25% under $36,040. The top 25% earn over $59,700 and the top 10% over $82,050. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Esthetician salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Esthetician | $45,330 |
| Cosmetologist | $35,790 |
| Barber | $38,210 |
| Massage therapist | $58,450 |
| Personal trainer | $47,160 |
| Bartender | $34,340 |
| Mortician | $55,010 |
Esthetician take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does an esthetician make?
The US median is $45,330 a year ($21.79 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does an esthetician make an hour?
The median is about $21.79 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $14.22 and the top 10% about $39.45 an hour.
Which state pays estheticians the most?
Washington has the highest median at $79,320, followed by District of Columbia ($77,480) and Wyoming ($62,400).
How much does an esthetician make a month?
At the US median of $45,330 a year, about $3,778 a month or $1,743 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level esthetician make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,580 a year and the lowest 25% under $36,040, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of estheticians make?
The top 10% earn over $82,050 a year; the top 25% earn over $59,700.
How much does an esthetician make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $38,770 in California, $49,250 in Texas, $43,880 in Florida, $42,910 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 39-5094, “Skincare Specialists”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. Note: BLS counts only employees, not self-employed estheticians or business owners, whose income can be quite different. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.