How to Become An Esthetician in Montana
Montana employs approximately 280 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,500 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 Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Montana
How do I become an esthetician in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Barbers and Cosmetologists - Esthetician. The licensing authority is the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists 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 Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for estheticians in Montana is $58,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,130 and experienced professionals can earn $96,780 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: Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
- Median wage (Montana): $58,500 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Esthetician License Requirements in Montana
The Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists oversees esthetician licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Barbers and Cosmetologists - Esthetician | Estheticians (skin care specialists) clean and care for client’s skin. They also remove unwanted hair and apply makeup. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | 80 | $58,750 | $78,740 | $46,570 | $136,310 |
| Missoula | 70 | $53,320 | $54,480 | $23,640 | $88,590 |
| Billings | 50 | $55,730 | $60,420 | $41,180 | $89,850 |
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 Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | 80 | $58,750 |
| Missoula | 70 | $53,320 |
| Billings | 50 | $55,730 |
Explore esthetician programs in Bozeman, Missoula, and Billings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 280 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do estheticians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Montana is $58,500, which is $16,940 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/cos ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |