A skincare pro explains the difference between aesthetician vs esthetician as she taeks a look at her client's skin.
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Table of Contents


Key Takeaways

  • The word esthetician (with an e) typically refers to skincare pros in spa or salon settings (think facials, waxing, peels, and skin glow-ups).
  • The word aesthetician (with an a) is often used interchangeably but can also suggest a more clinical role, often found in medical settings like derm offices or med spas. They're sometimes called medical estheticians.
  • Both terms refer to licensed skincare professionals, but aestheticians may have advanced training in medical-grade treatments and technologies.
  • Work environments vary: estheticians usually work in relaxation-focused spaces, while aestheticians often assist with more advanced treatments under medical supervision.
  • Whether you go the esthetician or aesthetician route, it all comes down to your dream career. Spa vibes or clinical skincare queen?

To be fair, the term “esthetician” is already hard enough for some of us to say (OK, maybe that’s just us raising our hands in the corner, but whatevs)—understanding the distinct differences between an aesthetician vs esthetician is a whole extra challenge.

But today, you’re in luck—we’ve dedicated this entire blog to laying out the specifics for each of these careers in hopes that it can give you some serious guidance on what type of professional does what, the main differences of each, and what type of advantages each of these careers can offer.

In other words, get ready for some serious esthetics knowledge!

Aesthetician vs Esthetician: What's the Difference?  

Aesthetics vs Esthetics: Let's Talk Definitions 

We’re not going to come at you with just a vocab lesson (we’ll get to the list of pros and cons soon), but we do think it’s pertinent to lay out some basic definitions to help get the foundational groundwork figured out first.

So, let’s kick this thing off by defining each of these career paths.

  • Estheticians are licensed professionals who are expertly trained to perform skincare services which can include skills like (but not limited to) massage, hair removal, skin cleansing, skin toning, exfoliation, skin peels, custom skincare recommendations, microblading, lash extensions, and more. Typically, estheticians work with people who have minor skin issues or problems, such as dry skin, breakouts, age spots, etc.
  • Aestheticians, sometimes referred to as medical estheticians, on the other hand, tend to focus on working with people who have more advanced skin ailments or pain points.

In other words, they bring their skincare expertise into a medical setting to help people learn how to care for their skin, undergo treatments for conditions, and heal and improve skin.   

While both career paths are ultimately about becoming licensed skin care specialists who are trained to analyze, cleanse, improve, and heal skin, their set of services and their environments are quite different.

The Good, The Bad, & The Differences 

OK, so we’ve got the definitions on lock.

By now, you’re probably more in-tune with which career path you’d prefer to lean toward just by nailing down those defining qualities.

But don’t make up your mind just yet—first, read through this list of pros and cons (we tried to be as subjective as possible, BTW) to get a better idea of the good, the bad, and the unique about each of these career choices.

An esthetician walks her client through a procedure on her tablet.

The Pros and Cons of Being an Esthetician 

Esthetician Pros

  • Consistent job security and job availability 
  • Help heal and improve skin for clients dealing with minor skin issues or insecurities 
  • Work in a salon, spa, or resort environment (as opposed to a more serious, sterile medical environment) 
  • Make impactful differences for your clients every single day 
  • Growth potential is high 

Esthetician Cons

  •  Typically, general estheticians bring home a lower salary than aestheticians (though, this is not always true) 
  • Building up a stream of clients can be tricky 
  • General esthetician hours aren't always ideal (nights and weekends are highly possible)
  • You're ultimately in the business of customer service, and dealing with customers non-stop can be challenging 

The Pros and Cons of Being an Aesthetician

Aesthetician Pros

  • Help heal and improve skin for clients who deal with serious issues, burns, trauma, or disorders 
  • You must first be licensed as a general esthetician before a medical esthetician, so once you're dual-licensed, you can offer a customized blend of both services 
  • Higher starting salary (in most cases, this is not always true) 
  • The growth potential is high 

Aesthetician Cons

  • Medical offices and environments tend to be more sterile and serious 
  • Because you'll be dealing with patients instead of just "clients," you'll run into more serious and potentially upsetting scenarios (i.e., trauma victims, sick patients, etc.) 
  • Sometimes your job is closer to a counselor than a cosmetologist 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between an esthetician and an aesthetician? +
Honestly? It's mostly about context. Estheticians (with an e) usually work in spa or salon settings, providing cosmetic skincare services like facials, waxing, and light peels. Aestheticians (with an a) often work in more clinical environments and may have advanced training to assist with medical-grade procedures. That said, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, depending on the state or employer.
Do aestheticians need additional training? +
If you're aiming to work in a medical setting, yes! You'll likely need extra certifications or training to perform or assist with more advanced treatments. Many aestheticians take post-graduate courses in services and skills like laser tech, microneedling, or advanced chemical peels to level up.
Where do estheticians and aestheticians typically work? +
Estheticians usually work in salons, spas, or boutique skincare studios. Aestheticians, on the other hand, might be found in dermatologist offices, med spas, or plastic surgery clinics - basically anywhere that blends beauty and medicine.
Who earns more: estheticians or aestheticians? +
It depends on your location, experience, and services offered, but generally, aestheticians working in clinical or medical environments tend to earn more due to their advanced training and access to higher-ticket procedures.
How do I decide between becoming an esthetician or an aesthetician? +
Start by asking yourself what kind of work excites you. Do you love the idea of relaxing facials, spa music, and skincare retail? Or are you more into the science-backed, results-driven world of clinical treatments? Your career path can grow either way!

See the differences between these two careers now?

Good!

Hopefully, we’ve armed you with enough information and knowledge for you to figure out which path might be right for you.

Who knows—maybe you’ll even try to tackle both of these careers at once to offer the ultimate set of esthetics services (let us know if you do).

No matter which profession you choose, it’s important to protect yourself, your career, your finances, and your future with professional liability insurance. 

At Elite Beauty Society, we can help you no matter what your esthetician journey might be—from student esthetician to part-time to full-time (medical esthetician or non), we’ve got the coverage, protection, and peace of mind you deserve!

An image is shown of the EBS copywriter Hanna Marcus from Boundless Copy.
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Meet Hanna Marcus, the Founder and Head Copy Gal behind Boundless Copy, a one-of-a-kind copywriting agency that specializes in big, bold brand voice and industry-disrupting copy that’s all about resonating with the right audience. 

Hanna has proudly teamed up with Elite Beauty Society for several years as their go-to copywriter on all things beauty, small biz marketing, and brand voice development. She’s big on feeling-first writing–her personal soapbox is that the best copy starts with telling a story. 

When she’s not writing cheeky, converting copy for clients, she’s mentoring other aspiring copywriters and creating digital copywriting resources designed for service pros and focused on taking the stress out of DIY copywriting. 
by Hanna Marcus
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