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Aesthetician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Specialized training in aesthetic skincare and advanced dermatological treatments prepares professionals to deliver high-level cosmetic and medical-grade skin care services. This program equips individuals with the clinical expertise and technical proficiency needed to excel in both medical and wellness environments, including dermatology clinics, plastic surgery centers, and luxury spas.

  • Advanced Anatomy and Physiology: In-depth study of the human body’s structural and functional systems, with a focus on the integumentary system and its interactions with other physiological processes.
  • Skin Properties and Disorders: Comprehensive understanding of skin types, conditions, and pathologies, enabling accurate assessment and targeted treatment planning.
  • Sanitation and Infection Control: Rigorous protocols for maintaining sterile environments and preventing cross-contamination in clinical and salon settings.
  • Advanced Facial Treatments: Mastery of customized facial regimens using professional-grade products and technologies to improve skin health and appearance.
  • Spa Body Treatments: Techniques for body exfoliation, hydration, and contouring, including wraps, scrubs, and specialized massage therapies.
  • Advanced Extractions: Precision methods for safely removing comedones and impurities while minimizing trauma and scarring.
  • Corrective Makeup: Application techniques to camouflage skin imperfections and enhance natural features, particularly useful in pre- and post-procedural care.
  • Chemical Peels: Safe and effective use of acid-based solutions to resurface skin, reduce fine lines, and treat hyperpigmentation.
  • Microdermabrasion: Non-invasive exfoliation using fine crystals or diamond tips to stimulate cell turnover and improve skin texture.
  • Lymphatic Drainage and Advanced Massage Techniques: Therapeutic massage methods to reduce swelling, enhance circulation, and support recovery from cosmetic procedures.
  • Pre- and Post-Operative Esthetic Skin Care: Specialized protocols to prepare patients for surgery and support healing afterward, often in collaboration with medical professionals.
  • Client/Patient Evaluation and Care: Systematic approaches to assessing skin health, identifying concerns, and developing personalized treatment plans.
  • Applicable Laws and Regulations: Knowledge of state and federal guidelines governing skincare practice, licensure, and patient safety.
  • Business Practices: Core principles of client management, marketing, financial operations, and ethical conduct in aesthetic service environments.

Aesthetician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

1,882
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
53
Universities & Colleges
1
Career Pathways

Aesthetician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Aesthetician degrees, including Skincare Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 70,240 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Skincare Specialists 39-5094 $41,560 $27,160 - $77,330 70,240 $19.98

Aesthetician Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $26,360 in Kentucky to $73,500 in Maine—a 179% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, Washington, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 70,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Aesthetician by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 52 institutions offering Aesthetician programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Aesthetician is found at Cortiva Institute (188 graduates), Bellus Academy, Poway (114 graduates), Acaydia School of Aesthetics (96 graduates), Boca Beauty Academy (94 graduates), and Cortiva Institute (85 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,882 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Cortiva Institute
Other Award
188 Cromwell, Connecticut Private cortiva.edu
Bellus Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
114 Poway, California Private bellusacademy.edu
Acaydia School of Aesthetics
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
96 Provo, Utah Private acaydia.edu
Boca Beauty Academy
Other Award
94 Boca Raton, Florida Private bocabeautyacademy.edu
Cortiva Institute
Other Award
85 St. Petersburg, Florida Private cortiva.com
Avalon Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
78 Las Vegas, Nevada Private avalon.edu
Avalon Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
68 Layton, Utah Private avalon.edu
Academy of Massage and Bodywork (AMB)
Other Award
67 Bear, Delaware Private massage-academy.com
Skin Science Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
67 Sandy, Utah Private skinscienceinstitute.com
Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
62 Salt Lake City, Utah Private skinworks.edu
Nova Academy of Cosmetology
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
61 Rochester, Minnesota Private novaacademy.edu
Bellus Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
57 El Cajon, California Private bellusacademy.edu
Boca Beauty Academy
Other Award
56 Parkland, Florida Private bocabeautyacademy.edu
The Spa School
Other Award
54 Columbus, Ohio Private salonschools.ohiostate.edu
The Esthetic Institute (TEI)
Other Award
54 Vienna, Virginia Private estheticinstitute.com
Bellus Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
53 Chula Vista, California Private bellusacademy.edu
The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics
Other Award
50 Virginia Beach, Virginia Private chrysm.edu
New York Institute of Beauty (NYIB)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
49 Islandia, New York Private nyib.edu
Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
47 Alliance, Ohio Private raphaelsbeautyschool.edu
Cameo College of Essential Beauty
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
45 Murray, Utah Private cameocollege.com
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
44 Minneapolis, Minnesota Private avedaarts.edu
Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
39 Provo, Utah Private avedainstituteprovo.com
LaSalle Tech
Other Award
33 Houma, Louisiana Private lasalletech.edu
Mandalyn Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
30 American Fork, Utah Private mandalynacademy.com
Lotus Professional College
Other Award
25 Richmond, Virginia Private lotus.edu
Celebrity School of Beauty
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
24 Miami, Florida Private celebrity.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
23 Logan, Utah Private paulmitchell.edu
Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
19 Kennewick, Washington Private victoriasacademy.edu
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy
Other Award
19 Reston, Virginia Private dsiacademy.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
18 Holladay, Utah Private paulmitchell.edu
Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics
Other Award
17 Ashland, Virginia Private theinstituteofadvancedmedicalesthetics.com
Studio Beauty School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
16 Spokane Valley, Washington Private studiobeautyschool.com
Renaissance Academie
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
14 Provo, Utah Private race.edu
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA)
Other Award
13 Washington, District of Columbia Private tspadc.com
Aesthetic Science Institute (ASI)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
10 Latham, New York Private aestheticscienceinstitute.edu
Neo-Esthetique European Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
10 San Juan, Puerto Rico Private institutoneo.com
Esteem Academy of Beauty
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
9 South Ogden, Utah Private esteem-academy.com
Northwest College
Other Award
8 Tualatin, Oregon Private nwcollege.edu
Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
7 Niles, Ohio Private raphaelsbeautyschool.edu
Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
7 Brunswick, Ohio Private raphaelsbeautyschool.edu
Northwest College
Other Award
7 Medford, Oregon Private nwcollege.edu
Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
6 Boardman, Ohio Private raphaelsbeautyschool.edu
Eastern Virginia Career College (EVCC)
Other Award
6 Fredericksburg, Virginia Private evcc.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Other Award
6 Roswell, Georgia Private paulmitchell.edu
Top Nails & Hair Beauty School
Other Award
5 Taylorsville, Utah Private topbeautyschoolutah.com
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)
Associate's
3 Pewaukee, Wisconsin Public wctc.edu
Avi Career Training
Other Award
3 Great Falls, Virginia Private avicareertraining.com
Bellasa Professional Institute
Other Award
3 Miami Springs, Florida Private bellasa.edu
Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy (SMIHA)
Other Award
2 Lynchburg, Virginia Private smiha.edu
Zorganics Institute of Beauty and Wellness
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
2 Bellingham, Washington Private zorganicsinstitute.edu
Florida Barber Academy
Other Award
1 Plantation, Florida Private floridabarberacademy.edu
Bonnie Joseph Academy of Cosmetology & Barbering
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
1 Heber City, Utah Private bonniejosephacademy.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Aesthetician programs

How much can I earn with a Aesthetician degree?

Salaries for Aesthetician graduates vary by role and location. Skincare Specialists earn a median of $41,560 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $73,500 compared to $26,360 in Kentucky. Approximately 70,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Aesthetician programs?

Currently 53 accredited institutions offer Aesthetician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Cortiva Institute (188 graduates), Bellus Academy, Poway (114 graduates), and Acaydia School of Aesthetics (96 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Aesthetician growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 169 in 2010 to 1,882 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,014% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Aesthetician degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Skincare Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 70,240 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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