by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Master Aesthetician/Esthetician explores Master Aesthetician/esthetician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Massage And Treat The Face, Neck, And Body With Advanced Chemical And Cosmetic Preparations And Esthetic Medical Treatments, And To Function As Licensed Master Or Medical Estheticians In Dermatologists' And Plastic Surgeons' Offices As Well As In Salons And Spas. Includes Instruction In Advanced Anatomy And Physiology, Skin Properties And Disorders, Sanitation And Infection Control, Advanced Facial Treatments, Spa Body Treatments, Advanced Extractions, Corrective Makeup, Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, Lymphatic Drainage And Advanced Massage Techniques, Pre- And Post-Operative Esthetic Skin Care, Client/patient Evaluation And Care, Applicable Laws And Regulations, And Business Practices. Examples: [Medical Aesthetician/esthetician], [Advanced Aesthetician/esthetician], [Advanced Paramedical Aesthetician/esthetician]. Continue reading for the key facts every master aesthetician/esthetician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering master aesthetician/esthetician programs.
Across the country, master aesthetician/esthetician is a widely-pursued major, with 1,882 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Master Aesthetician/Esthetician Schools ranking analyzes these 53 schools to determine the best overall colleges for master aesthetician/esthetician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of master aesthetician/esthetician programs later in this article.
Studies in Master Aesthetician/Esthetician develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations master aesthetician/esthetician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a master aesthetician/esthetician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a master aesthetician/esthetician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several master aesthetician/esthetician 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,048 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 831 |
People currently working in careers related to master aesthetician/esthetician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 30.2% |
| Master’s degree | 19.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in master aesthetician/esthetician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in master aesthetician/esthetician can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to master aesthetician/esthetician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to master aesthetician/esthetician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | 23,098 | 0.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of master aesthetician/esthetician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for master aesthetician/esthetician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers master aesthetician/esthetician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | $60,954 |
With 53 different master aesthetician/esthetician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased master aesthetician/esthetician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in master aesthetician/esthetician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
