How to Become an Esthetician in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin employs about 1,190 estheticians earning a median $46,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Esthetician here means completing a board-approved esthetics program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and an esthetician license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Compare Esthetician Schools in Wisconsin
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VICI Beauty School | 68.8 | Contact school for pricing | $35,925 | 88% | — | 43 mi |
| 2 | Aveda Institute-Madison | 67.9 | Contact school for pricing | $35,085 | 97% | — | 45 mi |
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| 3 | Fox Valley Technical College | 67.6 | $5,040 in-state / $7,283 out-of-state | $55,857 | 65% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 4 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness | 67.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,085 | 90% | — | 45 mi |
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| 5 | Waukesha County Technical College | 62.3 | $4,872 in-state / $7,115 out-of-state | $57,764 | 44% | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 6 | The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton | 58.8 | Contact school for pricing | $33,067 | 82% | — | 60 mi |
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| 7 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | 52.5 | $5,184 in-state / $7,427 out-of-state | $52,346 | 25% | Yes* | 45 mi |
| 8 | First Class Cosmetology School | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $22,737 | 86% | — | 66 mi |
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| 9 | Academy of Beauty Professionals | 43.7 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 79% | — | 60 mi |
| 10 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Janesville | 39.8 | Contact school for pricing | $29,205 | Not reported | — | 55 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Wisconsin employs approximately 1,190 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,220 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 Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: board-approved esthetics program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a board-approved esthetics program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and an esthetician license
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $46,220 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Esthetician in Wisconsin
How to become an Esthetician in Wisconsin? Complete a board-approved esthetics program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and an esthetician license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a board-approved esthetics program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and an esthetician license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do estheticians earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for estheticians in Wisconsin is $46,220 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,830 and experienced professionals can earn $65,590 or more 1.
How to Become an Esthetician in Wisconsin
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with the employer.
- Complete a board-approved esthetics program. Finish the esthetics hour requirement the employer publishes. Confirm the current total with that board; do not copy another state’s hours. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship.
- Pass written and practical exams. Pass the exams the employer uses for estheticians, not the full cosmetology practitioner exam unless you want that license.
- Apply for the esthetician license. Apply to the employer before taking paying skincare clients.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Esthetician License Requirements in Wisconsin
Estheticians in Wisconsin complete board-approved esthetics hours, pass exams, and apply to the employer. Do not treat a cosmetology instructor row as the esthetician license.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved esthetics program.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to the employer.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.
Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), skincare specialists wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 730 | $36,610 | $48,680 | $24,000 | $81,170 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 360 | $44,270 | $45,590 | $26,330 | $65,590 |
| Madison | 190 | $37,720 | $43,620 | $22,830 | $68,690 |
| Green Bay | 90 | $47,740 | $48,280 | $25,530 | $65,620 |
| Appleton | 70 | $48,270 | $45,230 | $22,090 | $64,420 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 50 | $46,140 | $47,270 | $30,480 | $87,100 |
| Duluth | 40 | $46,940 | $46,750 | $23,150 | $72,360 |
| Kenosha | 40 | $47,930 | $48,560 | $31,290 | $67,450 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 40 | $51,810 | $48,170 | $25,680 | $63,420 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 30 | $30,040 | $33,530 | $21,630 | $47,340 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 30 | $43,550 | $44,280 | $25,730 | $63,560 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for estheticians in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,190 estheticians 1. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an esthetician in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin.
How much do estheticians earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Wisconsin is $46,220, which is $4,660 above the national median of $41,560 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |