Esthetician

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Estheticians (6482.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations (G922) 
• 2011 NOC: Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations (6562) 
• 2016 NOC: Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations (6562) 

Estheticians work directly with clients one on one. In general, they:

• Assess the client’s skin characteristics, condition, and appearance
• Administer treatment plans and schedule visits to provide specific services for skin and nail care, such as:
  • Extractions
  • Peels
  • Masks
• Advise clients on how to treat skin or nail issues at home
• Show clients the best ways to clean and care for their skin
• Advise clients on the purchase and use of professional skin-care products

They may also:

• Provide make-up artistry for everyday and special occasions
• Do retail sales and advise on the use of makeup
• Clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails
• Apply artificial nails and nail art (gel and acrylic)
• Tint and perm lashes and brows
• Do microblading
• Care for eyelashes and apply extensions
• Provide treatments for hands and feet
• Give relaxation massages, such as hot stone massages
• Bleach body and facial hair
• Remove unwanted hair using techniques such as:
  • Soft and hard wax
  • Sugaring
  • Hot and cold laser
  • Dermal planning
• Provide other services, such as:
  • Aromatherapy
  • Microneedling
  • Facials
  • Dermal rolling
  • Chemical peels
• Provide other body services, such as:
  • Body polishing
  • Body wrapping
  • Spray tanning
  • Airbrushing
  • Microdermabrasion

When not working with clients, estheticians:

• Keep their equipment and work stations clean
• Keep records of client needs, preferences, and services provided
• Track inventory and order supplies

They also may take bookings.

Estheticians may work full time or part time. They may need to work some Saturdays and evenings.

Estheticians need:

• A caring and charismatic attitude
• An aptitude for complementary and contrasting colour
• An interest in beauty, health, and appearance
• A willingness to continue education (both technical and product based)
• The desire to achieve, maintain, and administer a positive personal appearance

They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to compiling information and solving problems. They should be comfortable serving, interacting with, and helping people. They should enjoy using special products and techniques.

Estheticians may work as employees or contractors at:

• Beauty salons
• Spas, including day spas and medi spas
• Fitness centres
• Medical clinics
• Mobile services
• Home-based salons

Opportunities for advancement are limited. Some estheticians open their own shops. Others teach at vocational schools. With further training, estheticians may move into related occupations by specializing in one or more services. For more information, see the Electrologist, Make-Up Artist and Massage Therapist occupational profiles.

Estheticians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6562: Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the Other Services (pdf) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• Occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• Size of the occupation.

Over 4,900 Albertans are employed in the Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 98 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As estheticians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for estheticians.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the G922: Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 98 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.