Skincare Specialist Salary
Skincare Specialists earn a median $45,330 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$45,330
$21.79 per hour
Range
$29,580 – $82,050
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
72,890
across the U.S.
▲9.1%
Pay trend: The median for skincare specialists in the U.S. rose from $41,560 (May 2024) to $45,330 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 6.7%.
What skincare specialists do
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual’s appearance.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.8% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 14,200
- Self-employed
- 29%
Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 14,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Skincare Specialist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$38,603
per year · effective tax rate 14.8%
$3,217Monthly
$1,608Twice a month
$1,485Every 2 weeks
$18.56Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,260
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,810
- Medicare (1.45%)$657
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,603
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,580 | $14.22 | $25,948 |
| 25th percentile | $36,040 | $17.33 | $31,138 |
| Median (50th) | $45,330 | $21.79 | $38,603 |
| 75th percentile | $59,700 | $28.70 | $50,149 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,050 | $39.45 | $66,552 |
Best cities for skincare specialists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $45,330 | $36,504 | $35,237 | 2,720 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $46,490 | $37,621 | $33,422 | 4,600 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $37,560 | $31,379 | $27,631 | 4,500 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $46,490
- Chicago, IL — $45,330
- Los Angeles, CA — $37,560
Skincare Specialist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $79,320 | +22.3% | $64,632 | $48,620 – $119,040 | 2,200 |
| District of Columbia | $77,480 | +40.9% | $59,720 | $57,660 – $120,730 | 200 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 | +33.0% | $52,318 | $39,490 – $81,790 | 100 |
| Montana | $58,500 | +47.7% | $47,192 | $35,130 – $96,780 | 280 |
| Nebraska | $58,420 | +12.3% | $47,342 | $44,300 – $122,250 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $58,160 | +10.8% | $48,912 | $35,710 – $89,270 | 190 |
| Maine | $55,850 | −24.0% | $44,467 | $34,520 – $100,190 | 260 |
| Colorado | $54,500 | +8.4% | $44,281 | $31,940 – $99,720 | 1,510 |
| Oregon | $52,110 | +0.2% | $40,320 | $35,900 – $105,660 | 1,070 |
| Delaware | $50,820 | +7.4% | $40,870 | $31,200 – $96,650 | 130 |
| Arizona | $50,470 | +8.4% | $41,680 | $38,650 – $103,950 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $49,250 | +14.7% | $41,752 | $27,390 – $84,180 | 6,160 |
| Georgia | $48,660 | +14.9% | $39,376 | $32,670 – $68,630 | 2,230 |
| Massachusetts | $47,310 | +3.8% | $38,048 | $36,610 – $60,320 | 1,360 |
| New Mexico | $47,230 | +31.2% | $39,066 | $30,010 – $90,770 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $46,890 | +6.1% | $39,856 | $27,560 – $83,200 | 430 |
| Maryland | $46,590 | +0.4% | $37,766 | $35,580 – $79,940 | 1,130 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 | +54.7% | $38,065 | $22,830 – $65,590 | 1,190 |
| New Jersey | $45,870 | −0.6% | $38,050 | $35,180 – $80,980 | 2,660 |
| Kansas | $45,760 | +26.3% | $37,194 | $28,880 – $65,180 | 420 |
| Utah | $45,490 | +1.2% | $37,650 | $26,810 – $62,990 | 1,160 |
| Illinois | $45,330 | +17.5% | $36,504 | $31,200 – $63,920 | 2,960 |
| Michigan | $45,240 | −3.0% | $36,858 | $28,810 – $77,940 | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $45,200 | −8.5% | $37,311 | $29,790 – $81,710 | 1,390 |
| Indiana | $44,450 | +1.3% | $36,614 | $24,440 – $66,670 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 | +25.5% | $36,321 | $23,990 – $79,520 | 920 |
| Florida | $43,880 | +15.3% | $37,438 | $27,860 – $83,990 | 5,270 |
| Rhode Island | $43,880 | +14.5% | $36,409 | $33,710 – $62,400 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $43,680 | −3.9% | $36,236 | $34,010 – $87,240 | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,620 | −0.7% | $35,890 | $22,870 – $69,820 | 2,560 |
| New York | $42,910 | −6.2% | $34,938 | $33,510 – $77,550 | 3,510 |
| Alaska | $41,240 | +4.6% | $35,316 | $33,600 – $47,980 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $41,160 | −2.0% | $34,338 | $20,960 – $140,920 | 320 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 | +10.8% | $32,832 | $22,530 – $80,430 | 1,210 |
| Virginia | $39,350 | +9.7% | $32,349 | $31,530 – $67,520 | 1,970 |
| Alabama | $39,260 | +9.9% | $32,027 | $26,540 – $73,180 | 590 |
| Ohio | $39,150 | −6.0% | $33,343 | $28,350 – $74,030 | 1,700 |
| North Carolina | $39,120 | −15.2% | $32,561 | $25,570 – $96,660 | 2,680 |
| California | $38,770 | +6.5% | $32,288 | $34,650 – $77,160 | 11,360 |
| Nevada | $38,660 | −5.0% | $33,243 | $28,070 – $73,110 | 1,540 |
| Kentucky | $38,580 | +46.4% | $31,946 | $26,340 – $81,610 | 830 |
| South Dakota | $38,230 | +19.7% | $32,898 | $24,450 – $52,350 | 150 |
| West Virginia | $38,030 | +0.7% | $31,704 | $25,650 – $60,550 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $37,340 | +2.8% | $31,048 | $22,140 – $77,020 | 680 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | −16.5% | $31,217 | $22,830 – $191,910 | 710 |
| Louisiana | $36,890 | −10.8% | $31,101 | $20,340 – $64,650 | 600 |
| Tennessee | $36,590 | +1.4% | $31,580 | $22,200 – $77,830 | 1,710 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 | −2.0% | $30,312 | $23,580 – $57,770 | 340 |
| Idaho | $34,130 | −17.2% | $28,903 | $21,630 – $55,560 | 720 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% |
| Shampooer | $32,600 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.1% |
| Barber | $38,210 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.3% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% |
| Crematory Operator | $43,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.3% |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.3% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers | $48,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a skincare specialist make?
The national median salary for skincare specialists is $45,330 a year ($21.79 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,580 and the top 10% earn over $82,050. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays skincare specialists the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $79,320. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many skincare specialists are there in the U.S.?
About 72,890 people work as skincare specialists nationwide.