Esthetician in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Tennessee employs 1,710 estheticians, with a statewide median of $36,590 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $36,590 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $22,200
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $44,500
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,830
- Employed in Tennessee
- 1,710
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Tennessee markets:
- Nashville
- $38,110 (760 employed)
- Memphis
- $37,010 (180 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $36,590 (160 employed)
- Clarksville
- $36,300 (70 employed)
- Knoxville
- $32,910 (240 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $36,590 median stretches to roughly $39,815 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow estheticians employment +9.6%, faster than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 270 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Esthetician (Aesthetician) — regulated by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
- Complete 750 hours of esthetician training at a Tennessee Board-approved cosmetology/esthetician school, covering skincare, facials, waxing, makeup, and Tennessee esthetics law.
- Pass the Tennessee Board written and practical state board examinations for esthetician.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for your esthetician license. Renew every two years.
Official requirements: Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners →
Training in Tennessee
Nashville's growing hotel, resort, and spa market — plus a rapidly expanding medical spa sector — creates strong esthetician demand. Tennessee's 750-hour requirement is in the mid-range nationally. Nashville's Gulch and downtown areas have a high density of upscale spas and med-spas that are active hirers.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Arnolds Beauty School — Certificate
- Austin's Beauty College Inc — Certificate
- Brillare Beauty Institute — Certificate
- Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — 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 Tennessee?
The median wage for estheticians in Tennessee is $36,590 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $22,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Tennessee?
Licensed Esthetician (Aesthetician), overseen by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Complete 750 hours of esthetician training at a Tennessee Board-approved cosmetology/esthetician school, covering skincare, facials, waxing, makeup, and Tennessee esthetics law.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Tennessee?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Tennessee metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $38,110, followed by Memphis ($37,010), Chattanooga ($36,590). 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 Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Arnolds Beauty School, Austin's Beauty College Inc, Brillare Beauty Institute. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects estheticians employment to change +9.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 270 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5094. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.