Esthetician in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Delaware employs 130 estheticians, with a statewide median of $50,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Delaware (May 2025)
- Delaware median pay
- $50,820 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $31,200
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $52,290
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $96,650
- Employed in Delaware
- 130
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Delaware markets:
- Philadelphia
- $43,570 (1,460 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware
Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,820 median holds roughly its face value.
Delaware License and Certification Requirements
Aesthetician (Esthetician) license — regulated by the Delaware DPR — Board of Cosmetology & Barbering.
- Complete 600 hours at a licensed school.
- Pass the written and practical exams.
- Apply to the Delaware Board of Cosmetology & Barbering (DPR).
Official requirements: Delaware DPR — Board of Cosmetology & Barbering →
Training in Delaware
Medical-spa and dermatology-office roles tend to pay more than traditional spas.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:
- Academy of Massage and Bodywork — Certificate
- All In The Wrist Barber Academy — Certificate
- Dawn Career Institute LLC — Certificate
- Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who enjoy beauty, wellness, and client relationships and want a licensed practice with a realistic path to self-employment.
Think twice if: Standing all day, irregular income as a booth renter, and licensing hours that vary wildly by state sound difficult.
Why it's resilient: Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
First Steps
Check your state's required training hours — they range from 260 to 1,500 hours — and find an accredited esthetics school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do estheticians make in Delaware?
The median wage for estheticians in Delaware is $50,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $96,650. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Delaware?
Aesthetician (Esthetician) license, overseen by the Delaware DPR — Board of Cosmetology & Barbering. Complete 600 hours at a licensed school.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Delaware?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Delaware metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $43,570. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Esthetician in Delaware?
Real Delaware options include Academy of Massage and Bodywork, All In The Wrist Barber Academy, Dawn Career Institute LLC. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Delaware DPR — Board of Cosmetology & Barbering (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Delaware wages · Delaware licensing/certification source
Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.