"How long does it take to become an esthetician in Alabama?"

"The primary Alabama license requires approximately 2,000 hours of qualifying experience, which is roughly 1.0 years of full-time work."

"Do estheticians need a license in Alabama?"

"Yes. Alabama requires state-level licensing or registration for estheticians, administered by the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology \u0026 Barbering. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for estheticians in Alabama?"

"In Alabama, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information."

How to Become An Esthetician in Alabama

Q: "How much do estheticians earn in Alabama?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), estheticians in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $39,260. Employment concentration in Alabama is roughly 0.60 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for estheticians in Alabama?"

"Alabama currently employs approximately 590 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.7% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama skincare specialists earn a median annual wage of $39,260 ($18.88/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 590 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -13.4% below the national median of $45,330 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $39,260 ($18.88/hr)
25th percentile: $31,960 per year
75th percentile: $46,170 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $73,180 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $26,540 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 590
Versus national median: -13.4% below the U.S. median of $45,330
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.60 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alabama employs approximately 590 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,260 ¹. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,500 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an esthetician in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Alabama

How do I become an esthetician in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Esthetician. The licensing authority is the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 2,000 hours of experience (roughly 1.0 years of full-time work) ³.

Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do estheticians earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for estheticians in Alabama is $39,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,540 and experienced professionals can earn $73,180 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering
Median wage (Alabama): $39,260 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Esthetician License Requirements in Alabama

The Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering oversees esthetician licensing in Alabama ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Licensed Esthetician	Applicants meet the following qualifications: Is at least 16 years old; Has successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or equivalent; Has successfully completed at least 1,000 cloc…

Additional Requirements

Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Birmingham	190	$39,260	$45,880	$30,540	$63,060
Huntsville	100	$42,390	$45,650	$32,360	$76,610
Montgomery	50	$35,130	$42,770	$22,870	$66,090
Mobile	40	$31,070	$40,950	$18,720	$77,360
Tuscaloosa	40	$39,970	$48,520	$30,520	$84,330

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Estheticians in Alabama

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Birmingham	190	$39,260
Huntsville	100	$42,390
Montgomery	50	$35,130
Mobile	40	$31,070
Tuscaloosa	40	$39,970

Explore esthetician programs in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery.

Explore More Trades in Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for estheticians in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 590 estheticians ¹. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an esthetician in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.

How much do estheticians earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Alabama is $39,260, which is $2,300 below the national median of $41,560 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering - Licensing Information: https://www.aboc.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)