by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Aromatherapy explores Aromatherapy. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Therapeutic Care Through The Preparation And Application Of Extracted Essential Oils From Plants, Including Flowers (Botanicals), Roots, Berries, And Bark. Includes Instruction In Aromatherapy History And Theory, Basic Physiology Of Absorption, Aromachemistry, Organic Chemistry, Botanical Taxonomy, Carrier Oils, Essential Oils, Extraction Methods, Blending Techniques, Application Methods, Safety, Client Consultation And Treatment Planning, Business Management, Professional Standards And Ethics, And Applicable Regulations. Read on to learn the key facts every aromatherapy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aromatherapy programs.
Across the country, aromatherapy is a popular field of study, with 8 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aromatherapy Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aromatherapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aromatherapy programs later in this article.
Programs in Aromatherapy build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aromatherapy graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a aromatherapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a aromatherapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aromatherapy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8 |
People currently working in careers related to aromatherapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 45.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 41.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.8% |
| First professional degree | 3.8% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aromatherapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in aromatherapy prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to aromatherapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aromatherapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | 3,105,142 | 1.0% |
| Orthoptists | 2,932,094 | 4.8% |
| Naturopathic Physicians | 2,656,215 | 6.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of aromatherapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $16,376 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for aromatherapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aromatherapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $138,809 |
| Naturopathic Physicians | $138,086 |
| Orthoptists | $135,811 |
With 1 different aromatherapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aromatherapy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in aromatherapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Herbalism/Herbalist | 113 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
