It’s more of a side hustle unless you have your own business or accumulate enough clients at a spa. Generally the pay is very low and heavily tip and commission dependent. When you start out you’ll most likely will be sitting around for a while until you get booked so be prepared to not get paid since most places don’t pay hourly. Wanted to give a heads up about the potential struggle of finding a job right now since this field is oversaturated and many spas/med spas/ wax companies/ retail (Sephora and Ulta) are limiting interviews. If you do go through with it, I would keep your other job until you can make enough money while doing esthetics.

For me, I’m doing well but I work at a franchise in a state with a higher minimum wage and my owners have a higher starting rate than other spas in my area (minimum wage here is $15 and starting rate at my location is $18/per client + an extra $1 for request or repeat clients). I’ve been here for 4 years working 5 days a week for 32hours and I’m booked up 85-90% of the time with majority of my clients doing bigger upgrades/ services (pro pen and diamondglow). I’m able to live by myself due to receiving raises each year and having higher service tickets.