Esthetics Careers
Learn about career options for a Licensed Esthetician!
AESTHETICS INSTITUTE
Esthetics Careers
Whether you want to work in a spa or salon, lash studio, waxing center, own your own business, work as an independent contractor, specialize in one specific service, or do a little bit of everything, there is a world of possibilities and flexibility in the esthetics industry today.
Check out a few of our amazing graduates:
With a general esthetics license in Oregon, you can be a spa esthetician providing many different skincare services to paying clients, a waxing specialist, a freelance makeup artist, a lash tech, or you can own your own business either out of your own home or in a business suite or office space. There are many options, and many people will switch between them more than once during their career in the esthetics industry.
The opportunities don’t end there, as there are even more unique career options, such as working as an esthetician on a cruise ship or at a high-end resort or hotel. Estheticians can work special events, like weddings, festivals, or charity events, or even operate a “mobile spa” to bring their services nearly anywhere their clients desire. Estheticians are in demand all over the world, and opportunities abound!
At our school, we are asked every day about what kinds of jobs our graduates are hired for when they first start out in the esthetics industry. And our answer is always, “All kinds of jobs in all kinds of settings!” With over 2000 graduates from our school over the last 40 years, we continue to see our students grow and excel professionally in the beauty industry!
Below we have created a primer about the most common opportunities estheticians pursue upon graduation and licensure, but this is not an exhaustive list, and there are so many opportunities out there to explore.
The world of beauty and esthetics is vast and worldwide, and we continue to be amazed and excited as opportunities change and grow as more and more people discover the benefits of esthetics and taking care of their skin. We wish you the best of luck in your career, and remember, the only limits in this industry are the ones you put on yourself!
" I attended the Aesthetics Institute in their Masters Esthetics Program this past November. I graduated in February 2023, and by March 2023, I had opened my own business as an independent contractor. The Aesthetics Institute set me up for not nothing short of success. The Institute and its instructors taught me so much, and I’m forever grateful for the amount of passion they have for this industry and the hard work they put into me and helping me be successful. My experience was incredible! I highly recommend going to this school!!"
Averie Hough
Masters Esthetics 2023
Masters Esthetics 2023
" I attended the Aesthetics Institute in their Masters Esthetics Program this past November. I graduated in February 2023, and by March 2023, I had opened my own business as an independent contractor. The Aesthetics Institute set me up for not nothing short of success. The Institute and its instructors taught me so much, and I’m forever grateful for the amount of passion they have for this industry and the hard work they put into me and helping me be successful. My experience was incredible! I highly recommend going to this school!!"
Averie Hough
Masters Esthetics 2023
Masters Esthetics 2023
Working for Yourself
You can work for yourself and perform all of the state-approved esthetic treatments within your scope of practice. Currently, we teach more than 20 of these services, and you can read more about them on our Masters Esthetics Program page.
To work for yourself, you would need to take all the proper steps to run a business, like investing in insurance for yourself and all the devices, tools, and equipment you will operate. You can purchase FDA-approved devices and equipment for your business and operate them as long as you stay within your scope of practice. Many estheticians will work out of rented professional spaces or choose to set up spa facilities in their own homes or apartments.
You can also work as an independent contractor for an existing spa or salon business. With this option, you are responsible for your client scheduling and day-to-day details, such as taking care of laundry, but you work in a location where you rent a space to practice. Often there will be multiple estheticians and hair stylists working out of this type of location and will share common spaces, such as laundry facilities, lobby space for clients, and restrooms.
You would need to work with the existing business to determine if you would bring equipment or rent theirs. You also need to know who would provide insurance and what it covers. In this business model, you technically work for yourself and make your own rules and hours. The exact details of each of these contractor working relationships can vary, but it is important to ensure you have a firm understanding and commitment to what each party is responsible for in this type of position.
Sometimes, estheticians will do a combination of both simultaneously, working out of their home studio a few days a week and working at an existing business for a few days. This can be done for a variety of reasons, including having access to more expensive and sophisticated equipment or even having access to another set of clients, or providing services that need more space and require more clean-up, such as body treatments.
Peyton Tunstall
Meet Our Graduates
Meet Peyton Lee Tunstall, AI Masters Esthetics graduate and business owner! We caught up with Peyton recently at her very cute business, Peyton Lee Esthetics.
Our Campus Visits Coordinator had the very difficult job of laying down for one of her relaxing and rejuvenating facial services, and had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her career in esthetics. Learn about Peyton’s journey from student to business owner below.
Name: Peyton Lee Tunstall
Business Name: Peyton Lee Esthetics
Website
Social: @peytonleeesthetics
Location: 8525 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland Oregon 97219
What program did you complete?
Masters Esthetics
When did you attend the school?
I started in November, 2018 and graduated in October, 2019.
When did you start your business?
In January, 2020.
What services do you offer?
I currently offer lash enhancements, brow shaping, facials, and facial waxing.
What about the AI program did you feel most contributed to your success today?
The real life hands on training! Also the expectations they have of their students set the bar for what the standard in my business should be.
Why did you want to start your own esthetician business?
I love feeling like I have complete creative control from the atmosphere to the services I provide.
What do you wish you knew prior to starting your business?
This is a tough question for me because I come from a family of business owners in this industry, who I learned a lot from early on and I felt I knew a lot more going into this than most people do when they start their business.
The thing that really comes to mind is that I didn’t expect how much of my time would be dedicated to my business, outside of the services I do. It’s more time consuming than I anticipated starting out, but so worth it!
What were the resources that really helped you start your own business?
Instagram! The the Etsy community on Instagram is very supportive and is a great recourse for education recourses.
@aiofportland Avery offers litterally every service taught at our esthetician school 👀🤯 @ @Circadia #circadiaskincare #theaestheticsinstitute #businessowner #beautyeducation #estitiktok #skincare #lacticacid #chemicalpeel ♬ Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar
Working for Someone Else
If you don’t want to work for yourself, you have the option to work as an employee for a spa, salon, or waxing center. Working for someone else has its own benefits, such as you get to clock out at the end of the day, you typically have an existing client base, and your pay is more regular. You can either be an hourly employee or salaried, depending on where you work and what you do. Tips can also make up a significant portion of your income in both a spa setting and when working for yourself.
Each of these work options is slightly different and has its own benefits and challenges. Spas typically pay more but regularly have a product sales requirement for their positions. This job can often include commission-based pay and, depending on your weekly hours may provide health benefits. In these workplaces, you will typically offer a variety of facial and body treatments among other estheticians, waxing specialists, and hair stylists, depending on the type and size of the spa or salon.
Working at a stand-alone waxing center may mean seeing far more clients in a typical day but for shorter appointments. Lash studios need less space and amenities to provide services to clients, but you may only see a small number of clients each day but spend a considerable amount of time with each, depending on the type of lash service they receive.
No matter what you choose, it is essential to do your own research and ask lots of questions during your interview to ensure your expectations are met when choosing where to work. There are so many different types of businesses, and all have unique policies and expectations for their employees. The best way to ensure your professional needs are met, and that you are a good fit for the position they are offering is to be upfront and ask as many questions as possible before you are offered the job.
" I learned far beyond what the average school offers at the Aesthetics Institute! That became so clear when I got a job, and my boss was impressed by my knowledge and skill level being a new esthetician. The teachers will take time to have you truly understand your clients' skin and support you every step of the way in performing services."
Emma Dean
Masters Esthetics 2023
Masters Esthetics 2023
" I learned far beyond what the average school offers at the Aesthetics Institute! That became so clear when I got a job, and my boss was impressed by my knowledge and skill level being a new esthetician. The teachers will take time to have you truly understand your clients' skin and support you every step of the way in performing services."
Emma Dean
Masters Esthetics 2023
Masters Esthetics 2023
Are you ready to become an Esthetician?
A career in esthetics can be fast-paced and challenging but also very rewarding. The Aesthetics Institute has been offering esthetics training since 1985 and is leading the way for our graduates to become top practitioners and leaders in the beauty industry.
If a career in esthetics interests you, we invite you to our campus for a tour and admissions counseling session. We will answer all your questions and discuss any concerns you may have with pursuing your esthetics education.
We are a family-owned and operated school, and we aim to keep our classes small for our students to benefit most from our unique hands-on training model. We pride ourselves on offering individualized education in a warm and friendly environment. With nearly 40 years of experience, we look forward to continuing to serve the Portland community.