Esthetician in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Illinois employs 2,960 estheticians, with a statewide median of $45,330 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $45,330 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $31,200
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $47,360
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $63,920
- Employed in Illinois
- 2,960
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Illinois markets:
- Rockford
- $57,720 (40 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $45,330 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow estheticians employment +2.4%, slower than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 300 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Complete a Illinois-approved esthetics training program (750 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). Illinois uses IDFPR-administered written and practical exams.
- Apply to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) for your esthetician license. Renew biennially (or per state schedule) with CE hours.
Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →
Training in Illinois
Illinois's 750-hour requirement is above average. Chicago's spa market is very active, particularly in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and River North neighborhoods. Medical esthetics at dermatology and plastic surgery practices in the Chicago suburbs is growing. Illinois estheticians can also pursue advanced certification in areas like oncology esthetics through continuing education.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:
- Cameo Beauty Academy — Certificate
- Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago — Certificate
- Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park — Certificate
- Capital Area Career Center — 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 Illinois?
The median wage for estheticians in Illinois is $45,330 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $63,920. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Illinois?
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist), overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Complete a Illinois-approved esthetics training program (750 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 Illinois?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Illinois metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Rockford leads at $57,720. 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 Illinois?
Real Illinois options include Cameo Beauty Academy, Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago, Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects estheticians employment to change +2.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 300 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), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (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 Illinois wages · Illinois 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.