Skincare Specialist salary in California
Skincare Specialists in California earn a median of $38,770 a year ($18.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,160 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $45,330. California ranks 39th of 49 states for skincare specialists pay. There are 0.62 skincare specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for skincare specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| 25th percentile | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Median | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| 75th percentile | $54,110 | $26.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Average (mean) | $49,910 | $24.00 |
Half of skincare specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,230.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,615.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,491.15 |
| Weekly | $745.58 |
| Hourly | $18.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Skincare Specialist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $52,350 | 1,920 |
| Salinas, CA | $50,640 | 90 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $45,200 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $44,910 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $44,230 | 1,000 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,420 | 500 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $41,960 | n/a |
| Fresno, CA | $40,360 | 220 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,120 | 90 |
| Napa, CA | $39,020 | 90 |
| Vallejo, CA | $39,000 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,180 | 550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,640 | 1,130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,560 | 4,500 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $37,430 | 80 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,200 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $36,680 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $36,420 | 90 |
| Redding, CA | $35,910 | 40 |
| Chico, CA | $35,090 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for skincare specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $79,320 |
| District of Columbia | $77,480 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 |
| Montana | $58,500 |
| Nebraska | $58,420 |
| North Dakota | $58,160 |
| Maine | $55,850 |
| Colorado | $54,500 |
| Oregon | $52,110 |
| Delaware | $50,820 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Barber | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $140,870 | $67.73 |
| Shampooer | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-5094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a skincare specialist make in California?
The median salary for skincare specialists in California is $38,770 a year, or $18.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid skincare specialists make in California?
The top 10% of skincare specialists in California earn at least $77,160 a year. The top 25% earn $54,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for skincare specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,650 a year, and a quarter of skincare specialists earn $36,290 or less.
How many skincare specialists work in California?
About 11,360 skincare specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.