How to Become An Esthetician in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 1,120 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,450 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Indiana
How do I become an esthetician in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Estheticians, Provisional Esthetician, Temporary Esthetician. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners 3. 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 Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for estheticians in Indiana is $44,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,440 and experienced professionals can earn $66,670 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
- Median wage (Indiana): $44,450 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Esthetician License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees esthetician licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Estheticians | IC 25-8-12.5-4 Licensee qualifications Sec. 4. To receive a license issued under this chapter, a person must: (1) be at least seventeen (17) years of age; (2) have successfully completed the tenth gra… |
| Provisional Esthetician | IC 25-8-12.5-8 Contents of temporary work permit application Sec. 9. |
| Temporary Esthetician | IC 25-8-12.5-8 Provisional license; esthetician Sec. 8. (a) This section applies only to applications for an esthetician license under this article. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 2,720 | $45,330 | $47,950 | $31,200 | $59,170 |
| Cincinnati | 540 | $43,570 | $48,070 | $25,160 | $75,920 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 470 | $48,530 | $48,280 | $27,710 | $77,840 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 330 | $38,750 | $46,750 | $26,360 | $85,090 |
| Fort Wayne | 60 | $39,940 | $43,780 | $21,470 | $66,630 |
| Evansville | 50 | $43,490 | $42,260 | $26,620 | $56,830 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 50 | $37,590 | $38,740 | $26,870 | $51,800 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 30 | $47,140 | $44,840 | $27,040 | $61,170 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 470 | $48,530 |
| Fort Wayne | 60 | $39,940 |
| Evansville | 50 | $43,490 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 50 | $37,590 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 30 | $47,140 |
Explore esthetician programs in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 1,120 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do estheticians earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Indiana is $44,450, which is $2,890 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.in.gov/pla/cosmo.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |