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Aesthetician vs Esthetician Salary What You Need to Know

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In the world of cosmetic procedures, aestheticians and estheticians are the ones who play a vital role in the skin care. But what is the difference between the two? Do the salaries of these professions differ? These are some basic questions that every person wanting to make a career in the skin care world would like to know. Let’s take a closer look at the details in this blog

Understanding the Roles

Estheticians: They are the skin buddies who perform the treatments to give a rejuvenated look to the facial skin. Skin therapies like facials, waxing, makeup applications, and general skin care are the main focus of estheticians. With their efforts, you experience cleaner and radiant skin.

Their main focus is to create a relaxing, rejuvenating experience for their clients, emphasizing surface-level skin care and maintenance.

Aestheticians: They are the ones who perform procedures which require a clinical setting, like laser treatments, chemical peels or microdermabrasion. Aestheticians undergo strenuous training to address complex skin concerns. They often collaborate with dermatologists or plastic surgeons to perform the procedures and provide a deep level of care too.

Factors Determining Salary Differences

While both professions offer rewarding careers, their salaries can vary depending on several factors:

  • Workplace Setting

Estheticians typically work in spas, salons, or resorts, where earnings can vary based on location and clientele. Aestheticians, by contrast, often work in medical offices, clinics, or med spas, which tend to pay more due to the specialized nature of their work.

  • Geographic Location

Urban areas or regions with a high demand for luxury skin care services often offer higher earning potential for both professions.

  • Experience and Specialization

Professionals with more experience, advanced certifications, or specialized skills (like laser therapy) can command higher salaries. This is particularly true for aestheticians, who often pursue additional training to expand their services.

Estheticians typically earn a respectable salary range, but their earnings may also include commissions from product sales or tips from clients. Aestheticians, with their advanced training and medical focus, often enjoy a higher salary range, reflecting the complexity and demand for their services.

Depending on the above factors, they can earn an average salary ranging from around $33,000 to $35,000 per year.

Choosing the Right Path

Both careers require formal training and licensing. For estheticians, the focus is on mastering the art of beauty treatments. Aestheticians need additional certifications for medical procedures, which opens doors to higher-paying opportunities but also requires more investment in education.

When choosing between these careers, consider where your passions lie. Do you enjoy providing relaxing, beauty-focused treatments? Or are you more interested in clinical procedures and working alongside medical professionals? Both paths offer fulfilling careers with opportunities for growth.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to become an aesthetician or an esthetician, both professions allow you to make a positive impact on clients’ lives by helping them feel confident and beautiful in their skin. While the earning potential for aestheticians tends to be higher due to their specialized skills, estheticians also have plenty of opportunities to thrive, especially in high-demand or upscale settings. Whichever path you choose, a career in skin care can be both rewarding and financially sustainable.

Written By:
Dr. Adrian Cole, MD


Dr. Adrian Cole, MD, is a Medical Advisor with over a decade of experience in medical aesthetics and wellness. He provides clinical guidance on patient safety, treatment planning, and evidence-based protocols across a broad range of services, including injectables, skin health, and medical weight management. With extensive experience training healthcare providers, Dr. Cole plays a key role in shaping best practices and supporting safe, results-driven care within modern aesthetic and wellness clinics.

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