How to Become An Esthetician in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 2,560 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,620 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 Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Pennsylvania
How do I become an esthetician in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Esthetician. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Cosmetology Board 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 Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The Department of State - Cosmetology Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do estheticians earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for estheticians in Pennsylvania is $43,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,870 and experienced professionals can earn $69,820 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: Department of State - Cosmetology Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $43,620 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Esthetician License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Cosmetology Board oversees esthetician licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Esthetician | A esthetician is an individual who engages only in the practice of massaging the face, applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions or creams to the face, removing superfluous hair by… |
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 Pennsylvania
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 1,460 | $43,570 | $47,630 | $23,990 | $81,680 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 170 | $49,040 | $51,710 | $22,870 | $70,890 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 160 | $44,560 | $45,690 | $22,160 | $66,070 |
| Lancaster | 100 | $48,810 | $48,210 | $25,730 | $63,610 |
| Reading | 60 | $37,870 | $47,370 | $22,300 | $76,190 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 60 | $42,650 | $46,750 | $21,640 | $76,780 |
| Erie | 40 | $41,600 | $44,700 | $20,730 | $61,270 |
| Pittsburgh | N/A | $42,620 | $44,980 | $22,000 | $61,510 |
| York-Hanover | N/A | $46,920 | $48,770 | $22,070 | $75,130 |
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 Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 1,460 | $43,570 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 170 | $49,040 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 160 | $44,560 |
| Lancaster | 100 | $48,810 |
| Reading | 60 | $37,870 |
Explore esthetician programs in Philadelphia, Allentown, and Harrisburg.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 2,560 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Cosmetology Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do estheticians earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Pennsylvania is $43,620, which is $2,060 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Cosmetology Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |