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Esthetician in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Indiana employs 1,120 estheticians, with a statewide median of $44,450 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Estheticians Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $44,450 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $24,440
Experienced (75th percentile): $52,390
Top earners (90th percentile): $66,670
Employed in Indiana: 1,120
U.S. median (for comparison): $41,010 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Indiana markets:

Indianapolis: $48,530 (470 employed)
Evansville: $43,490 (50 employed)
Fort Wayne: $39,940 (60 employed)
South Bend: $37,590 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $44,450 median stretches to roughly $47,642 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow estheticians employment +6.4%, about in line with the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 290 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Esthetician — regulated by the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

Complete 700 hours of esthetics training at an Indiana Board-approved cosmetology/esthetics school, covering skincare, facials, waxing, makeup application, and Indiana esthetics law.
Pass the Indiana Board written and practical state board examinations for esthetician.
Apply to the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (IPLA) for your esthetician license. Renew every two years.

Official requirements: Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →

Training in Indiana

Indiana's 700-hour esthetician requirement is higher than many states. Indianapolis's growing spa, medical spa, and hotel market creates esthetician demand. Carmel and Fishers (affluent Indianapolis suburbs) have active upscale salon and spa markets. Medical esthetics (laser, chemical peels, microneedling in physician-supervised settings) is a high-growth area in Indiana's growing suburban healthcare market.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis — Certificate
Christina and Company Education Center — Certificate
Denmark College — Certificate
Don Roberts School of Hair Design — 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 Indiana?

The median wage for estheticians in Indiana is $44,450 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $24,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $66,670. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Indiana?

Licensed Esthetician, overseen by the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Complete 700 hours of esthetics training at an Indiana Board-approved cosmetology/esthetics school, covering skincare, facials, waxing, makeup application, and Indiana esthetics law.

Is being an Esthetician a good career in Indiana?

Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.

Which Indiana metros pay estheticians the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $48,530, followed by Evansville ($43,490), Fort Wayne ($39,940). 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 Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis, Christina and Company Education Center, Denmark College. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Esthetician a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects estheticians employment to change +6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 290 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.