How to Become An Esthetician in Georgia
Georgia employs approximately 2,230 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,660 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 Georgia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Esthetician in Georgia
How to become an esthetician in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Esthetician, Esthetician Apprentice, Esthetician Instructor. The licensing authority is the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 3,000 hours of experience (roughly 1.5 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for estheticians in Georgia is $48,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,670 and experienced professionals can earn $68,630 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: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Median wage (Georgia): $48,660 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Esthetician License Requirements in Georgia
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology oversees esthetician licensing in Georgia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Esthetician | Applicant requirements: 17 years of age high school diploma or equivalent U.S. |
| Esthetician Apprentice | Applicant requirements: 17 years of age high school diploma or equivalent U.S. |
| Esthetician Instructor | Applicant requirements: 17 years of age high school diploma or equivalent U.S. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Any conviction is prohibited
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), skincare specialists wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 1,720 | $51,320 | $51,960 | $32,670 | $64,830 |
| Chattanooga | 160 | $36,590 | $43,020 | $17,640 | $77,540 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 100 | $47,730 | $52,090 | $22,530 | $93,810 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 70 | $48,000 | $55,660 | $31,440 | $85,910 |
| Savannah | 60 | $47,420 | $49,590 | $30,710 | $66,510 |
| Gainesville | 30 | $47,810 | $51,210 | $26,520 | $61,720 |
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 Georgia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 1,720 | $51,320 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 100 | $47,730 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 70 | $48,000 |
| Savannah | 60 | $47,420 |
| Gainesville | 30 | $47,810 |
Explore esthetician programs in Atlanta, Augusta, and Athens.
Explore More Trades in Georgia
- Electrician in Georgia
- Plumber in Georgia
- HVAC Technician in Georgia
- Welder in Georgia
- Carpenter in Georgia
- Solar Installation Technician in Georgia
- Auto Mechanic in Georgia
- CNC Machinist in Georgia
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Georgia
- Medical Assistant in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 2,230 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.
How much do estheticians earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Georgia is $48,660, which is $7,100 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
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) |