How to Become An Esthetician in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 1,510 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,240 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Michigan
How do I become an esthetician in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Esthetician, Esthetician, Apprentice, Esthetician Instructor. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 400 hours of experience (roughly 0.2 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for estheticians in Michigan is $45,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,810 and experienced professionals can earn $77,940 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Michigan): $45,240 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Esthetician License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees esthetician licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Esthetician | To receive an Esthetician license in Michigan, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, have attained the educational equivalent of 9th grade, and have completed at least 400 hours of training in a… |
| Esthetician, Apprentice | To receive an Esthetician Apprentice License, an applicant must submit a registration application the Michigan Bureau of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and remit the $25.00 application fee. |
| Esthetician Instructor | To receive an Esthetician Instructor License in Michigan, an applicant must have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, have a current Michigan cosmetology license, and have at least 3 year… |
| Esthetician Limited Instructor | To receive an Esthetician Limited Instructor License in Michigan, an applicant must first have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, have completed at least 300 hours of instructor trainin… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 790 | $47,000 | $51,460 | $30,000 | $80,430 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 300 | $44,680 | $46,330 | $27,930 | $70,660 |
| Ann Arbor | 70 | $46,090 | $49,390 | $27,780 | $71,770 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 60 | $48,040 | $50,820 | $31,070 | $85,090 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 50 | $37,590 | $38,740 | $26,870 | $51,800 |
| Saginaw | 30 | $48,180 | $49,920 | $31,050 | $61,870 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 790 | $47,000 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 300 | $44,680 |
| Ann Arbor | 70 | $46,090 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 60 | $48,040 |
| Saginaw | 30 | $48,180 |
Explore esthetician programs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Michigan? Michigan 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do estheticians earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Michigan is $45,240, which is $3,680 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |