Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations
Also called: Esthetician, Electrologist, Tattooer, Depilator, Tattooist, Beautician, Manicurist, Pedicurist, Cosmetician, Hair weaver, Body piercer, Trichologist
Estheticians, electrologists and workers in related occupations provide facial and body treatments designed to enhance an individual's physical appearance. They are employed in beauty salons, electrolysis studios, scalp treatment and hair replacement clinics and other similar establishments and in cosmetic departments of retail establishments such as pharmacies and department stores, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Estheticians
- Give facial and other body treatments using specialized products and techniques
- Cosmeticians
- Advise customers on the use of make-up and other beauty products and apply make-up to customers; may specialize in applying make-up to models or other individuals for special occasions
- Electrologists
- Remove unwanted hair permanently from client's face or body using needle only specialized electrical hair removal equipment, laser and other equipment
- Manicurists and pedicurists
- Clean, shape and polish fingernails and toenails and provide related treatments
How to become one
Completion of high school, college or beauty school programs for cosmeticians, estheticians, electrologists, manicurists and pedicurists is required or On-the-job training is provided. Electrologists usually require certification from an electrologist's educational or training institution. Membership in a provincial or national electrolysis association may be required. Completion of a registered dermal therapy program may be required to provide electrology laser and vascular treatments. Estheticians usually require certification from an esthetician's educational or training institution. Apprenticeship for electrologists, estheticians and nail technicians is available in Manitoba. Trade certification for these occupations is compulsory in that province. A business licence is required for workers in this group who are owners/operators of businesses offering these services. Practitioners offering these personal services are required to adhere to infection control procedures.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Apprenticeship for electrologists, estheticians and nail technicians is available in Manitoba. Trade certification for these occupations is compulsory in that province. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
- Licence or registration: A business licence is required for workers in this group who are owners/operators of businesses offering these services.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $39,000 a year The middle half earn $32,273 to $48,750.
- About 71,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 86,700 are projected by 2033. (+21.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03