Best state for estheticians: Where do estheticians make the most money?
Last Updated: July 10, 2024
The facials, the waxes, the peels: You love it all. The income? Not so much.
As food, home, and other essentials’ prices continue to climb, how much you make is important. You’ve chosen an esthetician’s career path. Can you choose how many Benjamins you bring home, too?
One of the biggest predictors of the number of Ks in your salary is your zip code. Which state you live in can lead to a $19,000 difference in income. (Seriously. That much.) Knowing this, some say the best places for estheticians to live are the places that pay the most. Which begs some questions:
- What is the best state to be an esthetician?
- Assuming the most profitable one is the best state for estheticians, where do estheticians make the most money? What is the best state to be an esthetician?
- What are the highest paid esthetician states?
- What’s the esthetician hourly pay by state?
- Where are estheticians in high demand?
- Where is the best place to work as an esthetician? Does working at a spa or on your own make a difference?
Where do estheticians make the most money?
Using job postings and third-party data, ZipRecruiter compiled the average salary and esthetician hourly pay by state.
How much do estheticians make in Arizona, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Missouri? Discover the best state for estheticians—including esthetician annual, monthly, and hourly pay by state—below.
Best State for Estheticians: Highest Paid Esthetician States
We share the top five best states to be an esthetician from ZipRecruiter’s table below. For the full data, visit their website here.
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $53,898 | $4,491 | $1,036 | $25.91 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,353 | $4,112 | $949 | $23.73 |
| New Hampshire | $48,260 | $4,021 | $928 | $23.20 |
| New Jersey | $47,529 | $3,960 | $914 | $22.85 |
| Wyoming | $47,016 | $3,918 | $904 | $22.60 |
In what state do estheticians make the most money?
To our estheticians living in the Big Apple: Congrats! The average esthetician salary in NYC and the rest of New York is the highest in the country.
How much do estheticians make in NY? The average is $53,898. Who knows? Many an esthetician may be flocking to the Empire State for more green.
If Gotham City isn’t for you, the esthetician salary in NJ is pretty great, too. Ranking #4 in the competition for best state for estheticians, the Jersey shore offers hardworking beauticians like yourself more money than most.
What about the esthetician salary in California?
To our estis in California: We see you Googling “esthetician salary los angeles california” and “how much do estheticians make an hour in california” like crazy in the bathroom. We’ve got some so-so news for you: Esthetician hourly pay in California is $19.58. So you’re bringing in more than those minimum wage workers making $16 an hour but less cheddar than yo’ boy at Mickey D’s.
Compared to other states, how much estheticians make an hour in California is in 34th place—so not the bottom, but not in the top 10, either. While an esthetician’s average salary in California isn’t the most lucrative, the Mediterranean climate, outdoor lifestyle, and cultural diversity people rave about may give you enough reasons to stay.
Where are estheticians in high demand?
Thanks to ye’ old averages, you can answer the question: “Where do estheticians make the most money?” (NEW YORK! cough)
But bringing home the bacon can be tough if the market’s oversaturated. While the average may be high in one state, another state could have fewer estheticians to compete with (or lower costs of living). The less competition, the more your phone may ring, the more ca-ching, ca-ching.
Where are estheticians in high demand? There isn’t a definitive answer, but there are a few ways to make an educated guess.
Industry insiders like Divergent Salon Suites say a big reason for the esthetician boom is an aging population. So one way to forecast demand is by following the wrinkles.
Here are the 10 states with the most adults ages 65 or older, thanks to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB):
- Maine
- Florida
- West Virginia
- Vermont
- Delaware
- Montana
- Hawaii
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
You might consider the average interest in cosmetic surgery, too, since there can be overlap in clientele. The Yes Stylist found these states had the most Google searches about cosmetic surgery:
- Florida
- Nevada
- California
- New York
- Kansas
- Arizona
- Texas
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Utah
Where is the best place to work as an esthetician?
Once you’ve ironed out which state to live in, you need to decide what type of location you want to work in. Tricoci University lists these common places of work:
- Salons
- Day spas
- Medical spas
- Dermatology clinics
- Remote
Of all the work settings listed above, where is the best place to work as an esthetician?
“Estheticians working in upscale salons, luxury spas, or medical facilities often have the potential for higher earnings compared to those working in budget salons or non-specialized establishments,” says Hiration. “Additionally, self-employed estheticians have the potential to earn more as they have greater control over their rates and client base.”
So if you want to focus on where estheticians make the most money, set your eyes on swanky spas and medical clinics.
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