Facials, lasers, waxing, injectables and the science of skin, from day spas to medical spas and cosmetic labs.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Medical Spa Owner: Owns a medical spa offering treatments like Botox, lasers and facials, working with a supervising medical director. Typical pay $150k.
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner: An advanced-practice nurse who performs and prescribes cosmetic treatments such as Botox, fillers and lasers. Typical pay $135k.
Dermatologist: A physician who diagnoses and treats skin, hair and nail conditions, including cosmetic procedures. Typical pay $350k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Cosmetic Chemist: Designs and tests the formulas for lotions, serums, sunscreens and makeup. Typical pay $84k.
Aesthetic Nurse Injector: A registered nurse who gives cosmetic injections and treatments under a physician or NP's supervision. Typical pay $95k.
Spa Director: Runs the spa at a resort, hotel or day spa, managing staff, treatments, budgets and guest experience. Typical pay $80k.
Laser Technician: Uses medical-grade lasers and light devices for hair removal, skin resurfacing and tattoo fading. Typical pay $56k.
Paramedical Esthetician: Works alongside doctors helping patients with skin care before and after surgery, cancer treatment or burns. Typical pay $56k.
Skincare Brand Educator: Teaches spa staff and estheticians how to use a professional skincare line and its treatments. Typical pay $70k.
Plastic Surgery Patient Coordinator: Guides patients through cosmetic surgery, from first consult and pricing to scheduling and recovery. Typical pay $60k.
Medical Spa Manager: Runs the business side of a medical spa offering Botox, lasers, and skincare treatments. Typical pay $72k.
Starter: fastest way in
Esthetician: Gives facials, exfoliations, extractions, waxing and skin advice to improve the look and health of skin. Typical pay $42k.
Electrologist: Permanently removes hair one follicle at a time using a tiny probe and electrical current. Typical pay $50k.
Waxing Specialist: Removes unwanted hair with wax and threading at waxing studios and salons. Typical pay $38k.
Spray Tan Artist: Applies sunless tanning spray for clients before events, competitions and photo shoots. Typical pay $35k.
Spa Attendant: Keeps the spa clean and welcoming: stocking robes, towels and tea and guiding guests to treatments. Typical pay $32k.
Beauty Advisor: Helps shoppers in beauty stores and department stores pick skincare and cosmetics. Typical pay $34k.
Body Contouring Technician: Runs machines that freeze, heat, or tone body areas for cosmetic results at med spas. Typical pay $42k.
Korean Spa Body Scrub Technician: Scrubs away dead skin from head to toe with rough mitts at Korean-style bathhouses, part of a centuries-old bathing tradition. Typical pay $42k.
Sauna Master: Leads heat rituals in spa saunas, pouring water on hot stones and waving towels in choreographed patterns to send waves of scented heat over guests. Typical pay $40k.
Oncology Esthetician: An esthetician specially trained to give safe facials and skin care to people going through cancer treatment, whose skin may be fragile. Typical pay $46k.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.