Skincare specialists held about 71,800 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of skincare specialists were as follows:
| Personal care services | 47% |
| Self-employed workers | 28 |
| Offices of physicians | 8 |
| Health and personal care stores | 7 |
| Traveler accommodation | 3 |
Skincare specialists usually work in salons and beauty and health spas. Some work in medical offices. Skincare specialists may have to stand for extended periods of time.
Because skincare specialists must evaluate the condition of the skin, good lighting and clean surroundings are important. Protective clothing and good ventilation also may be necessary, because skincare specialists often use chemicals on the face and body.
Work Schedules
Skincare specialists typically work full time, and many work evenings and weekends. Working more than 40 hours a week is common.
Skincare specialists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program and then pass a state exam for licensure, which all states except Connecticut require.
Education
Skincare specialists typically complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program. Although some high schools offer vocational training, most people receive their training from a postsecondary vocational school. The Associated Skin Care Professionals organization offers a State Regulation Guide , which includes the number of prerequisite hours required to complete a cosmetology program.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
After completing an approved cosmetology or esthetician program, skincare specialists take a written and practical exam to get a state license. Licensing requirements vary by state, so those interested should contact their state board.
The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology provides contact information on state examinations for licensing, with sample exam questions. The Professional Beauty Association and the American Association of Cosmetology Schools also provide information on state examinations, and offer other professional links.
Many states offer continuing education seminars and programs designed to keep skincare specialists current on new techniques and products. Post-licensing training is also available through manufacturers, associations, and at trade shows.
Skincare specialists typically have an interest in the Building, Helping and Persuading interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Helping or Persuading interest which might fit with a career as a skincare specialist, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Skincare specialists should also possess the following specific qualities:
Business skills . Skincare specialists who run their own salon must understand general business principles. For example, they should be skilled at administrative tasks, such as accounting and personnel management, and be able to manage a salon efficiently and profitably.
Customer-service skills . Skincare specialists should be friendly and courteous when dealing with clients. Repeat business is important, particularly for self-employed workers.
Initiative . Self-employed skincare specialists generate their own business opportunities and must be proactive in finding new clients.
Physical stamina . Skincare specialists must be able to spend most of their day standing and massaging clients’ faces and bodies.
Tidiness. Workers must keep a neat personal appearance and keep their work area clean and sanitary. This requirement is necessary for the health and safety of their clients, as well as to make the clients comfortable enough to want to return.
Time-management skills. Time-management skills are important in scheduling appointments and providing services.
The median hourly wage for skincare specialists was $16.39 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.85, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $30.07.
In May 2019, the median hourly wages for skincare specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | $19.80 |
| Personal care services | 15.94 |
| Health and personal care stores | 15.18 |
| Traveler accommodation | 13.67 |
Skincare specialists typically work full time, and many work evenings and weekends. Working more than 40 hours a week is common.
Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The projected increase in employment reflects demand for new services being offered, such as minisessions (quick facials at a lower cost) and mobile facials (making house calls). In addition, the desire among many women and a growing number of men to reduce the effects of aging and to lead a healthier lifestyle through better grooming, including skin treatments for relaxation and well-being, should result in employment growth.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities should be good because of the growing number of beauty salons and spas. Those with related work experience should have the best job opportunities.
For information about skincare specialists, visit
Associated Skin Care Professionals
For information about education and cosmetology schools, visit
American Association of Cosmetology Schools
For information about the spa industry, visit
For information about state licensing, practice exams, and other professional links, visit
National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology
Professional Beauty Association