How to Become An Esthetician in Colorado
Colorado employs approximately 1,510 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $54,500 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 Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Colorado
How do I become an esthetician in Colorado? Colorado requires credentials such as Estheticians. The licensing authority is the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Colorado? Yes. Colorado has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for estheticians in Colorado is $54,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,940 and experienced professionals can earn $99,720 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: Department of Regulatory Agencies - Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure
- Median wage (Colorado): $54,500 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Esthetician License Requirements in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies - Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure oversees esthetician licensing in Colorado.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Estheticians | The Office of Barber & Cosmetology Licensure regulates individuals who practice in the State of Colorado as barbers, cosmetologists, hairstylists, estheticians, and nail technicians. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Colorado vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 880 | $54,500 | $65,380 | $31,950 | $98,180 |
| Colorado Springs | 200 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 150 | $55,970 | $55,820 | $30,800 | $83,100 |
| Boulder | 90 | $54,440 | $67,400 | $32,720 | $104,770 |
| Grand Junction | 50 | $48,880 | $62,380 | $30,800 | $144,170 |
| Greeley | 30 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 Colorado
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 880 | $54,500 |
| Colorado Springs | 200 | n/a |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | 150 | $55,970 |
| Boulder | 90 | $54,440 |
| Grand Junction | 50 | $48,880 |
Explore esthetician programs in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 1,510 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies - Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado.
How much do estheticians earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Colorado is $54,500, which is $12,940 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |