Occupation · SOC 39-5094
Skincare Specialists
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance. Includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists.
Median wage
$41,560
$27,160–$77,330
Projected growth
+6.7%
Average growth
Annual openings
660
per year
Employed (US)
70,240
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
293 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingService OrientationActive ListeningMonitoringReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Sterilize equipment and clean work areas.Cleanse clients' skin with water, creams, or lotions.Demonstrate how to clean and care for skin properly and recommend skin-care regimens.Determine which products or colors will improve clients' skin quality and appearance.Keep records of client needs and preferences and the services provided.Treat the facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance, using specialized techniques and products, such as peels and masks.Examine clients' skin, using magnifying lamps or visors when necessary, to evaluate skin condition and appearance.Perform simple extractions to remove blackheads.Select and apply cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, and tonics.Stay abreast of latest industry trends, products, research, and treatments.Apply chemical peels to reduce fine lines and age spots.Refer clients to medical personnel for treatment of serious skin problems.Provide facial and body massages.Remove body and facial hair by applying wax.Tint eyelashes and eyebrows.Collaborate with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to provide patients with preoperative and postoperative skin care.Advise clients about colors and types of makeup and instruct them in makeup application techniques.Sell makeup to clients.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Sterilization procedures and sanitation protocols — apply under direct supervision to keep tools, equipment, and treatment areas compliant with health and safety standards in a licensed spa or salon.Basic cleansing techniques and product types — follow step-by-step protocols to cleanse clients' skin using water, creams, and lotions during supervised introductory facials.Magnifying lamps and skin-assessment tools — use under guidance to perform initial visual examination of clients' skin condition before treatment.Standard facial masks and pre-selected products — apply according to written instructions while supervised, supporting routine maintenance treatments at an entry-level esthetician station.Client intake forms and service records — complete accurately under direction, capturing client needs, preferences, and services provided in the salon's scheduling or database system.Simple blackhead extractions — practice the foundational manual technique on prepared skin under close mentor observation, following established safety protocols.Skin-care product ingredients and basic categories — recognize and match common formulations to general skin types when assisting a senior esthetician during a consultation.Active listening and open-ended questioning — demonstrate during supervised client interactions to gather accurate information about skin concerns and lifestyle factors.Appointment scheduling and office suite software — enter and retrieve client data with guidance to support daily operational flow at a personal-care service establishment.Time management basics — organize assigned treatment tasks within scheduled appointment windows under supervisor direction to maintain service flow in a busy spa environment.
developing
Skin-condition assessment findings — analyze independently using magnifying lamps or visors to evaluate texture, tone, and underlying concerns across a routine client caseload.Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing sequences — execute with minimal oversight, adapting product selection to each client's skin type in a full-service esthetic treatment room.Chemical peels and exfoliating mask protocols — apply established treatment parameters to address common concerns such as hyperpigmentation and congestion for returning clients.Personalized home-care regimens — recommend verbally and through written take-home guides, translating professional product knowledge into practical daily routines for clients.Blackhead extraction procedures — perform safely and efficiently on familiar presentations, using appropriate technique and aftercare to minimize irritation and client discomfort.Client service records and preference histories — maintain and update in database or office software between appointments to support continuity of care and targeted upsell opportunities.Product and color selection — match specialized formulations and corrective cosmetic options to individual clients' assessed skin quality and appearance goals with growing confidence.Social perceptiveness and empathy — apply during client interactions to detect comfort levels and emotional cues, adjusting communication style to improve service satisfaction.Sales and marketing fundamentals — use product knowledge and consultative conversation to present retail recommendations in ways that align with client needs and support revenue targets.Coordination with reception and support staff — communicate scheduling adjustments and treatment notes clearly using office suite tools to ensure smooth daily operations at a spa or salon.
proficient
Comprehensive skin analysis protocols — conduct autonomously across diverse skin types, conditions, and tones, integrating magnification tools and clinical observation to develop nuanced treatment plans.Advanced facial treatments including multi-step peels and specialized masks — select, sequence, and execute independently to address complex or non-routine client concerns such as rosacea or mature skin.Individualized skin-care education sessions — lead one-on-one consultations that translate complex ingredient science and treatment rationale into clear, actionable advice tailored to each client's lifestyle.Extraction techniques for varied comedonal presentations — perform safely and skillfully across a broad range of skin conditions, minimizing risk and documenting outcomes in client records.Critical thinking and problem-solving in challenging cases — evaluate contraindications, product sensitivities, and treatment responses to modify protocols and achieve optimal results without oversight.Client record systems and data management — oversee accurate, compliant documentation for a full personal caseload using database and word processing software, ensuring data integrity and privacy.Product formulation knowledge and efficacy evaluation — assess emerging active ingredients and treatment modalities through independent research and active learning to continuously update service offerings.Full-spectrum sterilization and infection-control compliance — implement and audit sanitation standards across all treatment areas and equipment, ensuring regulatory adherence at every service touchpoint.Retail product recommendations and client education materials — develop personalized written guides and in-session demonstrations that meaningfully improve client adherence to home-care regimens.Appointment and service-flow optimization — manage a high-volume daily schedule independently, balancing treatment time, product prep, and client communication to maximize quality and throughput.
advanced
Esthetic service standards and treatment menus — design and implement across an entire spa or salon, aligning protocols with current clinical research and the establishment's brand and business goals.Staff training and mentorship programs — develop and deliver structured onboarding curricula and continuing education for estheticians at all experience levels, raising team-wide technical proficiency.Client consultation frameworks and assessment tools — create standardized intake, skin-analysis, and treatment-planning systems used organization-wide to ensure consistent, high-quality client outcomes.Complex client cases and escalated concerns — lead clinical decision-making for challenging presentations, guiding junior staff through contraindication management and outcome documentation.Regulatory compliance and sanitation governance — establish organization-wide infection-control policies, conduct periodic audits, and liaise with licensing boards to maintain full regulatory standing.Retail sales strategy and product procurement — evaluate supplier relationships, negotiate product lines, and design evidence-based retail merchandising plans that drive revenue at a multi-station or multi-location operation.Performance metrics and client retention data — analyze trends using spreadsheet and database software to identify service gaps, inform strategic decisions, and report outcomes to ownership or leadership.Continuing education and industry engagement — lead participation in professional associations, trade events, and advanced certification programs, positioning the organization as a center of esthetic excellence.Marketing and client communication strategy — direct digital and in-spa promotional initiatives using presentation and media tools to grow clientele, articulate brand differentiation, and support business development.Organizational culture and service orientation — model and champion client-centered values, empathy, and professional conduct across the team, shaping a workplace environment defined by trust, quality, and growth.
Also known as
61 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aesthetic RN Injector (Aesthetic Registered Nurse Injector)AestheticianBarber (Navy 756A)BeauticianBeauty TherapistBrow Waxing ExpertClinical EstheticianDental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force 4Y031)Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force 4Y071)Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y071H)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y051H)Dermatologist (Air Force 44S1)Dermatologist (Air Force 44S3)Dermatologist (Air Force 44S4)Dermatologist (Air Force 44SX)Dermatologist (Army 60L)Dermatologist (Navy 0111)Dermatologist, Dermatologic Surgery (Air Force 44S1A)Dermatologist, Dermatologic Surgery (Air Force 44S3A)Dermatologist, Dermatologic Surgery (Air Force 44S4A)Dermatologist, Dermatopathology (Air Force 44S1B)Dermatologist, Dermatopathology (Air Force 44S3B)Dermatologist, Dermatopathology (Air Force 44S4B)Dermatologist, Pediatric Dermatology (Air Force 44S1C)Dermatologist, Pediatric Dermatology (Air Force 44S3C)Dermatologist, Pediatric Dermatology (Air Force 44S4C)ElectrologistElectrolysis Needle OperatorElectrolysis OperatorElectrolysistEstheticianFacial OperatorFacialistHealth Services Management (Air Force 4A0X1)Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force 4A031)Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force 4A071)Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)