Esthetician in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Georgia employs 2,230 estheticians, with a statewide median of $48,660 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Georgia (May 2025)
- Georgia median pay
- $48,660 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $32,670
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $51,510
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $68,630
- Employed in Georgia
- 2,230
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Georgia markets:
- Augusta
- $47,730 (100 employed)
- Savannah
- $47,420 (60 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia
Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,660 median stretches to roughly $50,530 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)
Georgia is projected to grow estheticians employment +10.5%, faster than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Georgia License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) — regulated by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.
- Complete a Georgia-approved esthetics training program (1,000 hours hours). Programs cover facial treatments, chemical exfoliation, waxing, skin analysis, sanitation, and state cosmetology law. Programs are available at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and dedicated esthetics schools.
- Pass the state esthetics board exam (written theory + practical skills). Georgia uses a state board written exam and practical skills test.
- Apply to Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers for your esthetician license. Renew biennially (or per state schedule) with CE hours.
Official requirements: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers →
Training in Georgia
Georgia's 1,000-hour requirement is one of the higher esthetics requirements in the Southeast. Programs typically run 9–12 months full-time. Atlanta's upscale spa market (Buckhead, Midtown) and growing medical esthetics sector (numerous dermatology and plastic surgery practices in North Atlanta) provide strong employment. Savannah and Athens also have active esthetics markets tied to their tourism and university economies.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College — Certificate
- Albany Beauty Academy — Certificate
- Albany Technical College — Certificate
- Athens Technical College — 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 Georgia?
The median wage for estheticians in Georgia is $48,660 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $32,670, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $68,630. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Georgia?
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist), overseen by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. Complete a Georgia-approved esthetics training program (1,000 hours hours). Programs cover facial treatments, chemical exfoliation, waxing, skin analysis, sanitation, and state cosmetology law. Programs are available at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and dedicated esthetics schools.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Georgia?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Georgia metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Georgia metro areas, Augusta leads at $47,730, followed by Savannah ($47,420). 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 Georgia?
Real Georgia options include Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Albany Beauty Academy, Albany Technical College. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Georgia?
Georgia projects estheticians employment to change +10.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 260 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers (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 Georgia wages · Georgia licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); 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.