9 Careers You Can Have as a Licensed Esthetician
When you think of esthetics, you might picture someone giving facials or applying skincare products—but that’s just the beginning. The world of esthetics is constantly expanding, blending beauty, wellness, and technology in exciting new ways. For anyone with a passion for skincare and helping others feel confident, becoming a licensed esthetician can open the door to a wide range of careers.
At Taylor Andrews Academy, we prepare our students to explore all these possibilities through hands-on training, real-world experience, and advanced education in skincare and spa treatments. Once you earn your esthetics license, you’ll have the flexibility to work in spas, salons, medical environments, or even build your own business.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and high-demand careers you can pursue as a licensed esthetician—and how each one allows you to shape a career that’s as creative and fulfilling as you are.
1. Spa Esthetician
If your idea of the perfect workday includes calming music, aromatherapy, and helping clients relax, a career as a spa esthetician might be your calling.
Spa estheticians specialize in skincare treatments that promote both beauty and wellness. You’ll perform facials, exfoliation, body wraps, and other rejuvenating treatments designed to improve skin health and overall relaxation. You may also help clients select skincare products and develop routines for home care.
Where you can work:
- Luxury resorts or destination spas
- Day spas and wellness centers
- Cruise ship spas
Why it can be rewarding:
Spa estheticians help clients look and feel their best. It’s a career rooted in self-care, where you can make an immediate, visible difference in someone’s confidence and mood.
2. Medical Esthetician
For estheticians interested in science and advanced skincare, becoming a medical esthetician (with the right training) can be a great next step. Medical estheticians work under the supervision of doctors—often dermatologists or plastic surgeons—to assist with treatments that address deeper skin concerns.
You might help prepare patients for procedures, provide pre- and post-operative skincare, or perform specialized treatments such as:
- Chemical peels
- Microneedling
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser treatments
Where you can work:
- Dermatology offices
- Plastic surgery clinics
- Medical spas (medspas)
Why it can be rewarding:
This career combines beauty with healthcare, helping patients heal, regain confidence, and maintain healthy skin after medical treatments. It’s ideal for those who enjoy precision, professionalism, and advanced skincare technology.
3. Makeup Artist
Esthetics training also lays the perfect foundation for a career in makeup artistry. As a licensed esthetician, you understand how skin works, which gives you an edge when applying makeup for different skin types and tones.
Makeup artists can work in a variety of settings, from everyday beauty to high-profile events and productions.
Career options include:
- Bridal and special occasion makeup
- Fashion and editorial makeup
- Film, TV, and theater makeup
- Cosmetic brand representative or trainer
Why it can be rewarding:
Makeup artistry allows for boundless creativity. You can bring out someone’s natural features or transform them completely—and there’s no better feeling than watching a client light up when they see the finished look.
4. Lash and Brow Specialist
The demand for lash and brow services has skyrocketed in recent years, making this one of the fastest-growing esthetics careers. Licensed estheticians can specialize in services such as:
- Lash extensions and lifts
- Brow shaping and tinting
- Microblading (with additional certification)
Where you can work:
- Lash and brow studios
- Salons and spas
- Your own boutique business
Why it can be rewarding:
You’ll help clients enhance their natural beauty in subtle, stunning ways that boost their confidence every day. Plus, lash and brow specialists often build loyal repeat clientele, making it a steady and profitable career path.
5. Product Representative or Brand Educator
Do you love skincare products, ingredients, and innovation? A career as a product representative or brand educator allows you to combine your technical knowledge with sales and communication skills.
In this role, you might:
- Educate salons and spas on product lines
- Train professionals on application techniques
- Demonstrate products at trade shows or beauty events
- Help launch new skincare lines
Where you can work:
- Skincare and cosmetic companies
- Beauty distributors or retailers
- Freelance education and consulting
Why it can be rewarding:
You’ll stay on top of the latest trends in beauty and skincare while helping professionals and clients make informed choices. Plus, you’ll get to travel, network, and represent brands you believe in.
6. Waxing or Hair Removal Specialist
If precision and detail are your strengths, specializing in hair removal could be a great niche. Estheticians trained in waxing and other depilation methods help clients maintain smooth, beautiful skin through professional, hygienic services.
You might offer:
- Full-body or facial waxing
- Sugaring
- Brow shaping and maintenance
Where you can work:
- Salons and spas
- Waxing studios
- Your own esthetics practice
Why it can be rewarding:
Clients often build long-term relationships with their waxing specialists. You’ll create a comfortable environment that helps people feel confident in their own skin.
7. Resort or Cruise Ship Esthetician
If you’re drawn to travel and adventure, working as a resort or cruise ship esthetician can be a dream job. These positions combine your passion for skincare with the excitement of seeing the world.
You’ll perform luxury treatments for guests in breathtaking destinations—whether that’s the Caribbean, Europe, or an island paradise.
Why it can be rewarding:
You’ll gain incredible professional experience, meet people from all over the world, and work in a setting that feels more like a vacation than a job.
8. Skincare Content Creator or Influencer
In the digital age, estheticians are taking their skills online—and building careers as skincare content creators. Whether it’s through social media, YouTube, or blogging, you can share tips, reviews, and tutorials while growing your personal brand.
Some estheticians even partner with major skincare companies or launch their own product lines through the exposure they build online.
Why it can be rewarding:
You’ll have creative control over your career, connect with a large audience, and inspire others to take better care of their skin.
9. Spa or Salon Owner
Many estheticians dream of becoming their own boss—and with experience and business savvy, that dream can become reality. Owning your own spa or salon allows you to build a business that reflects your values, aesthetic, and vision for client care.
As an owner, you’ll manage staff, set your services, and create a welcoming space where beauty and wellness thrive.
Why it can be rewarding:
You’ll have full creative and financial control while creating opportunities for other professionals in the industry. It’s hard work, but the freedom and fulfillment make it worth it.
How Taylor Andrews Academy Helps You Build Your Esthetics Career
At Taylor Andrews Academy, we’re not just teaching skincare techniques—we’re helping students build lasting careers. Our master esthetics program covers everything you need to become a licensed esthetician in Utah, including:
- Skincare training: Learn facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and more.
- Hands-on experience: Work directly with real clients in our on-campus spa to perfect your techniques.
- Business and marketing education: Understand how to attract clients, build your brand, and manage your own practice.
- Career support: We help connect graduates to career opportunities across spas, medspas, salons, and wellness centers.
Thinking About Becoming a Master Esthetician?
If your goal is to take your education beyond basic esthetics, Taylor Andrews Academy makes it simple.
Many students wonder, “Do I need to take the basic esthetics course before becoming a Master Esthetician?” The answer is yes—but at Taylor Andrews, we’ve combined both the basic and master esthetics programs into one course. That means no prior experience is needed to get started.
Here’s how it works:
- First 600 hours: You’ll focus on learning and mastering the fundamentals of esthetics, including facials, skincare analysis, and waxing.
- Second 600 hours: You’ll dive into more advanced, clinical techniques such as chemical peels, laser treatments, and advanced modalities.
Students who want to become licensed as Master Estheticians complete the full 1,200-hour program, ensuring they graduate ready for advanced careers in both spa and medical settings.
Your Career in Skincare Starts Here
Becoming a licensed esthetician gives you the power to create the career—and lifestyle—you’ve always wanted. From luxury spas to medical clinics to your own beauty brand, the possibilities are endless.
If you’re ready to turn your passion for skincare into a career, Taylor Andrews Academy is ready to help you start your journey.
Contact us today to schedule a tour, learn about our master esthetics program, and take the first step toward your dream career in beauty.