How much does a skincare specialist make?
The median skincare specialist in the United States earns $45,330 per year, about $21.79 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all skincare specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-5094.
Skincare specialist salary range
Pay for skincare specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,580 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $82,050. The average (mean) wage of $51,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,580 | $14.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,040 | $17.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,330 | $21.79 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,700 | $28.70 | |
| 90th percentile | $82,050 | $39.45 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for skincare specialists (SOC 39-5094), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Skincare specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Skincare specialists earn the most in Washington at $79,320 a year, and the least in Idaho at $34,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $79,320 | 2,200 |
| District of Columbia | $77,480 | 200 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 | 100 |
| Montana | $58,500 | 280 |
| Nebraska | $58,420 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $58,160 | 190 |
| Maine | $55,850 | 260 |
| Colorado | $54,500 | 1,510 |
| Oregon | $52,110 | 1,070 |
| Delaware | $50,820 | 130 |
| Arizona | $50,470 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $49,250 | 6,160 |
| Georgia | $48,660 | 2,230 |
| Massachusetts | $47,310 | 1,360 |
| New Mexico | $47,230 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $46,890 | 430 |
| Maryland | $46,590 | 1,130 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 | 1,190 |
| New Jersey | $45,870 | 2,660 |
| Kansas | $45,760 | 420 |
| Utah | $45,490 | 1,160 |
| Illinois | $45,330 | 2,960 |
| Michigan | $45,240 | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $45,200 | 1,390 |
| Indiana | $44,450 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 | 920 |
| Florida | $43,880 | 5,270 |
| Rhode Island | $43,880 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $43,680 | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,620 | 2,560 |
| New York | $42,910 | 3,510 |
| Alaska | $41,240 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $41,160 | 320 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 | 1,210 |
| Virginia | $39,350 | 1,970 |
| Alabama | $39,260 | 590 |
| Ohio | $39,150 | 1,700 |
| North Carolina | $39,120 | 2,680 |
| California | $38,770 | 11,360 |
| Nevada | $38,660 | 1,540 |
| Kentucky | $38,580 | 830 |
| South Dakota | $38,230 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $38,030 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $37,340 | 680 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | 710 |
| Louisiana | $36,890 | 600 |
| Tennessee | $36,590 | 1,710 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 | 340 |
| Idaho | $34,130 | 720 |
State median wages for skincare specialists (SOC 39-5094), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for skincare specialists
The BLS projects employment of skincare specialists to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 104,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 113,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 14,200 openings a year for skincare specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a skincare specialist
The typical entry-level education for skincare specialists is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a skincare specialist earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $79,320) and the lowest (Idaho, $34,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 72,890 people work as skincare specialists in the United States. At $45,330 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Skincare specialist salary FAQ
How much does a skincare specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a skincare specialist is $21.79. The middle half of skincare specialists earn between $17.33 and $28.70 per hour.
What is the highest skincare specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of skincare specialists earn more than $82,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a skincare specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a skincare specialist is $45,330. The average (mean) wage of $51,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a skincare specialist a well paid job?
At $45,330 a year, a skincare specialist earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 72,890 people work as skincare specialists in the United States.
Which state pays skincare specialists the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for skincare specialists at $79,320 a year. District of Columbia ($77,480) and Wyoming ($62,400) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a skincare specialist a good career?
Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 14,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a skincare specialist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for skincare specialists as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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