Esthetician in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Massachusetts employs 1,360 estheticians, with a statewide median of $47,310 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $47,310 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,610
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $49,300
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $60,320
- Employed in Massachusetts
- 1,360
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Massachusetts markets:
- Cape Cod
- $48,140 (60 employed)
- Boston
- $47,480 (1,180 employed)
- Springfield
- $46,920 (50 employed)
- Worcester
- $46,270 (120 employed)
- Providence
- $44,900 (190 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $47,310 median is worth closer to $44,716 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)
Massachusetts is projected to grow estheticians employment +4.3%, slower than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 200 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Aesthetician (Esthetician) — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- Complete 300 hours of esthetician training at a Massachusetts Board-approved cosmetology/esthetics school — Massachusetts has one of the lowest esthetician hour requirements in the country, making licensure faster here than almost anywhere else.
- Pass the Massachusetts Board written and practical state board examinations for aesthetics.
- Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering for your aesthetician license. Renew every two years on your license birthday.
Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering →
Training in Massachusetts
Massachusetts' 300-hour requirement is among the lowest nationally — you can complete esthetician school in as little as 6–8 weeks of full-time study. Boston's affluent demographics, large hotel and resort market, and growing medical spa sector create strong esthetician demand. Newbury Street and Back Bay salons, suburban day spas, and medical aesthetics practices are the primary employers.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:
- Alexander Academy — Certificate
- COLLECTIV Academy-Worcester — Certificate
- Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics — Certificate
- Charles H McCann Technical School — 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 Massachusetts?
The median wage for estheticians in Massachusetts is $47,310 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,610, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $60,320. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Massachusetts?
Licensed Aesthetician (Esthetician), overseen by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. Complete 300 hours of esthetician training at a Massachusetts Board-approved cosmetology/esthetics school — Massachusetts has one of the lowest esthetician hour requirements in the country, making licensure faster here than almost anywhere else.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Massachusetts?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Massachusetts metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Cape Cod leads at $48,140, followed by Boston ($47,480), Springfield ($46,920). 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 Massachusetts?
Real Massachusetts options include Alexander Academy, COLLECTIV Academy-Worcester, Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects estheticians employment to change +4.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 200 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.