Esthetician in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Montana employs 280 estheticians, with a statewide median of $58,500 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $58,500 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $35,130
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $76,040
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $96,780
- Employed in Montana
- 280
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Montana markets:
- Bozeman
- $58,750 (80 employed)
- Billings
- $55,730 (50 employed)
- Missoula
- $53,320 (70 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,500 median stretches to roughly $61,839 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to grow estheticians employment +4.4%, slower than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
Esthetician license — regulated by the Montana DLI — Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists.
- Complete 650 hours at a licensed school.
- Pass the written and practical exams.
- Apply to the Montana Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists (DLI).
Official requirements: Montana DLI — Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists →
Training in Montana
Medical-spa and dermatology-office roles tend to pay more than traditional spas.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:
- Academy of Cosmetology Inc — Certificate
- Aveda Institute Montana — Certificate
- Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts — Certificate
- Montana Academy of Salons — 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 Montana?
The median wage for estheticians in Montana is $58,500 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $96,780. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Montana?
Esthetician license, overseen by the Montana DLI — Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists. Complete 650 hours at a licensed school.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Montana?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Montana metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Montana metro areas, Bozeman leads at $58,750, followed by Billings ($55,730), Missoula ($53,320). 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 Montana?
Real Montana options include Academy of Cosmetology Inc, Aveda Institute Montana, Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Montana?
Montana projects estheticians employment to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists (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 Montana wages · Montana 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.