Esthetician Salary in Seattle: What New Grads Can Actually Expect to Earn
Passionate about skincare and helping people put their best face forward? You may be wondering whether it's worth it to become an esthetician in Seattle, and what kind of salary you could expect to earn if you do. According to Career OneStop, a site sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for estheticians in Seattle was $67,040 in May 2024.
New grads in Seattle typically start at $44,000-$50,000, while experienced laser and medical-spa specialists can take home $90,000 or more. BLS data indicate that Washington state had the second-highest annual median wages in the nation for estheticians and other skincare specialists.
BLS Salary Data for Estheticians by State and Metro Area
The BLS categorizes estheticians as "skincare specialists" in its statistics. Here's what the most recent BLS data show for skincare specialist salaries in Washington and the Seattle metro area.
Washington State Salaries for Estheticians
- Median annual wage: $64,880
- 10th percentile (entry-level): $44,820
- 90th percentile (top earners): $113,230
Seattle Metro Area Salaries for Estheticians
- Median annual wage: $67,040
- 10th percentile (entry-level): $44,300
- 90th percentile (top earners): $124,840
It's important to note that all these figures represent base salaries; they don't include commissions or tips. That means it's possible a Seattle-based esthetician could take home more than these figures suggest.
Seattle and Washington Esthetician Salaries vs. National Salaries
Salaries for estheticians and skincare specialists in Seattle and Washington state tend to be higher than the national benchmark.
For instance, O*Net's summary of BLS data shows that the national median salary for skincare specialists is $41,560 per year. Washington estheticians earn $64,880, or roughly 56 percent more than their peers in the median U.S. state.
Again, the BLS reports that several of the top 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas for skincare specialists in the country are located in Washington, including Olympia, Yakima, and Seattle.
Job Opening Outlook for Estheticians in the U.S. and Washington
The job growth outlook for estheticians is bright. The BLS projects that job openings for skincare specialists should grow by 7% from 2024 to 2034, more than double the 3% average for all U.S. occupations. This means that, nationwide, there could be as many as 14,500 openings for skincare specialists over that period.
In Washington state, job growth projections are even better. O*Net reports that job openings for skincare specialists in Washington state are projected to grow by 15% from 2022 to 2032 (the most recent statewide statistics available), which amounts to 460 new job openings each year. As of 2022, there were 2,570 skincare specialists working in Washington.
What Can New Estheticians in Seattle Actually Earn?
It's important to understand that the salary you'll earn as a new grad will be on the low end of the state and metro-area figures. While salary data from government sources can help you get a ballpark idea of what estheticians can earn in Washington, those figures include more than just new workers. They cover:
- Experienced skincare specialists
- Estheticians with master licenses
- Those who run their own businesses
If you want to know what entry-level estheticians in Washington could earn, here is what the earnings trajectory could look like.
Year 1 (entry-level): Most new estheticians land at a chain spa, salon, or wax studio, earning $44,000-$50,000 annually-the BLS 10th-percentile range for Washington. Compensation usually combines an hourly base ($17-$22 per hour in Seattle) with service commission (10-20%) and retail commission (5-10%). Tips can also boost a new esthetician's take-home pay.
Years 2-3: Once an esthetician builds a book of repeat clients and develops a specialty (like waxing, lashes, or acne treatment), total compensation typically climbs to $55,000-$75,000. Skilled estheticians at this stage often earn a better commission split. They can also move to booth-rental models, where they can keep most of what they bill.
Year 5+: Senior estheticians, especially those with a master esthetician license, have the potential to earn $80,000-$110,000 or more. The 90th-percentile mark in Washington ($113,230) is typically reached by those working in medical spas, in dermatologists' offices, or running their own businesses.
These ranges align with what sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Salary.com report for the Seattle job market. Learn more about cosmetologist salaries.
What Drives Esthetician Pay: Specialty, Setting, and Clientele
Setting. The BLS reports that the highest salaries for skincare specialists are paid by physicians’ offices, usually dermatologists’. Doctors' offices pay skincare specialists a median of $23.40 per hour nationally, compared with the $18.55 paid by traditional spas and salons.
Specialty. Estheticians who can offer high-revenue services like laser hair removal, chemical peels, microneedling, lash extensions, brow shaping, or sugaring earn much more per hour than those offering only basic facials.
Clientele and retention. Service workers paid partly on commission must build repeat bookings to survive. Estheticians who retain 60 percent or more of new clients tend to out-earn peers with more client turnover.
How You Can Boost Your Income as an Esthetician
Estheticians in Washington can earn well above the national average, but there are ways to further enhance their earning potential. Here are some options to consider:
- Earn your master esthetician license. Completing the additional 450 hours of training to become a master esthetician is typically the highest-ROI move a Washington esthetician can make. The Washington State Department of Licensing legally requires you to have this license to perform laser treatments, medium-depth peels, and other high-ticket services.
- Add a high-margin specialty. Lashes, microneedling, dermaplaning, brow lamination, and lash lifts or tints can add new revenue streams to your business-and don't require the master esthetician license.
- Become a master at selling products. A 10 percent retail commission on $300 per week in product recommendations adds roughly $1,500 per year to your earnings. Plus, clients who buy products from you are more likely to become repeat customers.
- Switch to booth rental once you have regular customers. Booth renters typically keep 70-85 percent of service revenue versus 40-55 percent on commission.
- Continue your education. Unlock new income opportunities by taking professional development classes whenever you can make time. Product manufacturers offer esthetics training opportunities, as do industry groups such as the Professional Beauty Association and the National Coalition of Estheticians.
Additional FAQ’s for Seattle & Washington Based Estheticians
How much do estheticians make in Seattle?
May 2024 BLS data show that the median annual wage for skincare specialists (including estheticians) in Seattle was $67,040. Entry-level salaries were around $44,300, while high-end salaries for the most experienced and highly trained estheticians were around $124,840.
What is the average esthetician salary in Washington?
Washington’s median annual salary for skincare specialists is $64,880, about $23,000 higher than the national median of $41,560. Washington consistently ranks among the highest-paying states in the country for estheticians.
Is esthetics a good career to have in Seattle?
Yes. The Seattle metro area is among the highest-paying in the country for skincare specialists, and those jobs are likely to grow. The BLS projects 15 percent growth for skincare specialist jobs in Washington through 2032 (more than double the average growth rate for all occupations).
How much could new estheticians earn during their first year working in Washington?
First-year estheticians in Washington typically earn $44,000-$50,000, aligning with the BLS 10th-percentile entry-level wage of $44,820. Tips and retail commission can boost pay further.
Do you need a license to work as an esthetician in Washington?
Yes. The Washington State Department of Licensing requires estheticians to complete either 750 hours of state-approved esthetics training or 2,000 hours through an apprenticeship. To get your license, you'll also need to pass a two-part exam (with written and practical sections) and pay a fee.
What is the difference between an esthetician and a master esthetician?
A regular Washington esthetician license covers facials, waxing, makeup, microdermabrasion, and superficial peels. The master esthetician license requires an additional 450 hours of training because it qualifies you to perform laser hair removal, medium-depth chemical peels, and several other advanced techniques. With the master credential, estheticians can qualify for jobs in medical spas and dermatology offices, which tend to pay more.
How long does esthetics school take in Washington?
It depends on whether you study part-time or full-time. A 750-hour program generally takes about six months full-time, and up to 12 months part-time. While you'll have to take hands-on classes, some programs offer hybrid learning. For example, Evergreen Beauty College’s EverFlex option combines four hours of in-person training per day with online coursework. This allows students to keep up with their work and family responsibilities while in school.
Where You Can Train to Become an Esthetician
Washington has roughly two dozen state-approved esthetics programs. When evaluating schools, prospective students should weigh accreditation, the curriculum, and proximity to where they live-or where they want to work.
Evergreen Beauty College, for example, operates seven Washington campuses, including three serving the Seattle metro (Shoreline, Everett, and Renton), and offers a 750-hour NACCAS-accredited esthetics program built around hands-on training in its student spa. More information on Washington esthetics training options is available at ebc.edu/courses/esthetics.