How to Become An Esthetician in District of Columbia

District of Columbia employs approximately 200 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,480 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 District of Columbia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About How to Become an Esthetician in District of Columbia

How to become an esthetician in District of Columbia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for estheticians in District of Columbia.

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.

What do estheticians earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for estheticians in District of Columbia is $77,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $57,660 and experienced professionals can earn $120,730 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (District of Columbia): $77,480 per year 1

Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

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

Metro Area Employment Median Annual Wage Avg. Annual Wage Entry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 1,300 $46,620 $57,460 $36,940 $107,050

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 .

Top Metros for Estheticians in District of Columbia

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

Metro Area Employment Median Annual Wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 1,300 $46,620

Explore esthetician programs in Washington.

Explore More Trades in District of Columbia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for estheticians in District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 200 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do estheticians earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in District of Columbia is $77,480, which is $35,920 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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
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)