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Holistic Skin Care Schools and Esthetician Careers
Being an esthetician means being an expert in healthy, beautiful skin. Estheticians are trained in rejuvenating the skin by giving facials, massages or full-body treatments.
They also recommend the appropriate makeup or skin care products; or administering dermatological procedures such as laser hair removal.
Beyond that, holistic skin care training can expand an esthetician’s realm of expertise to include healthy, natural products and non-invasive skin care treatments. Holistic approaches to skin care consider the health of the whole person, including nutrition, lifestyle and emotional factors.
Career Overview
As an esthetician with holistic skin care training, your practice will emphasize the maintenance of healthy skin as a reflection of inner health, and promote the use of natural products and holistic approaches over invasive surgical techniques or abrasive dermatological treatments.
An important part of treating clients is selecting an appropriate skin care program for each individual’s skin type and lifestyle. Graduates of holistic skin care school often find work in day spas, salons, resorts and complementary health care centers.
Training and Education
What You’ll Study in Holistic Skin Care School
Basic training at an esthetician school includes study of human anatomy and physiology, including types of skin and skin conditions; holistic skin care products and procedures; sanitation; and professional practice.
Advanced or master training will also include in-depth study of skin science and how it connects to overall health and lifestyle, as well as more complex chemical and medical procedures and holistic, non-damaging treatments.
Average Length of Study
Some holistic skin care schools offer a 300- to 600-hour basic program in just a few months. Master-level training takes another 600 hours. If you already hold an esthetician license, it takes about 60 continuing education hours to finish holistic skin care training.
Average Tuition
Tuition for introductory programs generally costs $3,000 to $5,000. Completion of the 600-hour basic holistic skin care training program costs between $6,500 and $8,000, and training for the full 1200-hour master level may cost up to $13,000 or more.
Holistic Skin Care Certification
Individual states vary with respect to how many hours of training are required in order to practice under an esthetics or cosmetology license, but 600 hours of training is enough for a Basic Esthetician License in the majority of states.
The National Coalition of Estheticians Association (NCEA) recommends the 1200-hour curriculum or its equivalent for NCEA certification. Holistic Skincare Practitioner Certification is also available from the Association for Holistic Skin Care Practitioners.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook, there is increasing interest in skin treatments that promote relaxation and well-being, and job opportunities will be better for estheticians who are able to provide a broad range of services, including treatments that require holistic skincare training. In fact, the BLS predicts a 9.1% job growth rate through 2032, which is much faster than the national average.
Holistic Skin Care Salary
Practitioners with more advanced credentials, such as master-level holistic skincare training, often command higher wages. You can research salaries and job growth data provides by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here:
Skincare Specialists
National data
Median Salary: $43,200
Projected job growth: 9.1%
10th Percentile: $27,600
25th Percentile: $33,310
75th Percentile: $58,730
90th Percentile: $81,320
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,720 | $22,380 | $55,680 |
| Alaska | $38,400 | $37,350 | $50,720 |
| Arizona | $44,470 | $33,960 | $70,590 |
| Arkansas | $36,070 | $29,320 | $83,270 |
| California | $42,780 | $33,100 | $104,810 |
| Colorado | $50,740 | $30,730 | $77,220 |
| Connecticut | $50,480 | $34,960 | $96,950 |
| Delaware | $43,100 | $27,550 | $83,030 |
| District of Columbia | $46,260 | $44,280 | $132,190 |
| Florida | $41,050 | $28,780 | $85,370 |
| Georgia | $40,770 | $27,470 | $62,520 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | $37,060 | $28,730 | $70,810 |
| Illinois | $37,710 | $30,750 | $76,550 |
| Indiana | $41,470 | $24,260 | $68,040 |
| Iowa | $34,410 | $23,920 | $65,900 |
| Kansas | $35,940 | $17,230 | $62,330 |
| Kentucky | $45,180 | $27,970 | $94,000 |
| Louisiana | $36,420 | $22,020 | $61,570 |
| Maine | $44,510 | $30,210 | $71,890 |
| Maryland | $40,250 | $28,000 | $71,050 |
| Massachusetts | $48,470 | $33,930 | $80,630 |
| Michigan | $50,600 | $31,560 | $77,690 |
| Minnesota | $50,330 | $24,910 | $79,530 |
| Mississippi | $43,660 | $31,610 | $106,500 |
| Missouri | $38,900 | $25,210 | $64,430 |
| Montana | $42,340 | $22,430 | $82,530 |
| Nebraska | $33,350 | $31,200 | $63,420 |
| Nevada | $38,420 | $24,940 | $74,560 |
| New Hampshire | $41,630 | $20,800 | $60,690 |
| New Jersey | $43,390 | $29,890 | $98,560 |
| New Mexico | $38,150 | $33,330 | $61,910 |
| New York | $43,670 | $31,200 | $100,670 |
| North Carolina | $48,280 | $27,320 | $98,080 |
| North Dakota | $44,010 | $38,080 | $63,530 |
| Ohio | $46,030 | $29,240 | $75,660 |
| Oklahoma | $24,040 | $19,330 | $55,290 |
| Oregon | $62,500 | $33,170 | $76,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,330 | $33,730 | $65,000 |
| Rhode Island | $47,980 | $29,720 | $48,960 |
| South Carolina | $39,970 | $22,920 | $92,090 |
| South Dakota | $36,790 | $34,310 | $46,180 |
| Tennessee | $32,600 | $20,360 | $78,920 |
| Texas | $35,570 | $21,100 | $66,960 |
| Utah | $45,630 | $24,940 | $82,220 |
| Vermont | $57,140 | $37,620 | $93,230 |
| Virginia | $37,740 | $28,680 | $66,560 |
| Washington | $65,190 | $44,870 | $130,580 |
| West Virginia | $38,960 | $30,070 | $52,260 |
| Wisconsin | $30,700 | $23,300 | $75,960 |
| Wyoming | $65,290 | $17,260 | $68,350 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Is a Holistic Skin Care Career Right for You?
A holistic approach to a career as an esthetician means attending to your clients’ inner health and well-being as well as the care of their skin.
You’ll need to be comfortable with interpersonal interaction and physical contact, as well as observant about skin conditions and knowledgeable about natural treatments.
Ultimately, holistic skin care training can lead to an extremely rewarding career helping people reduce stress, improve the health of their skin, and increase their overall wellness both inside and out.
Sources: Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, NCEA Certified, Skin Science Institute of Laser & Esthetics, Spa Luna Holistic School Esthetician Training
