How Much Do Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurses Make?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nursing salaries depend on several factors, like experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective aesthetic/cosmetic nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse working in a private clinic in a large urban area on the coast may make more than a similar nurse employed by a small outpatient clinic in the Midwest.
How Much Do Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, aesthetic/cosmetic nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S. Hourly pay for aesthetic/cosmetic nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some aesthetic/cosmetic nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries
Aspiring aesthetic/cosmetic nurses can reach this goal via a few different education paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as one year, but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, aesthetic/cosmetic nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
Further education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), also raises an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse’s salary.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries
An aesthetic/cosmetic nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Once a nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in that specialty.
Aesthetic nurses may choose from a few different certifications offered by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) and the Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA).
Location and Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries
Salaries are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and their current demand for aesthetic/cosmetic nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay aesthetic/cosmetic nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| State | Average Salary |
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, aesthetic/cosmetic nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than they are in a small rural town in the Midwest.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salaries
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses who work as advanced practice nurses will garner higher pay in any workplace. In general, acute care facilities pay more than outpatient or home-care providers. The following are the highest-paying aesthetic nurse jobs found on ZipRecruiter.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Botox Injector annual salary | $183,230 | $88.09 |
| Entry Level Aesthetic Nurse Injector annual salary | $172,199 | $82.79 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An aesthetic/cosmetic nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Aesthetic nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Cosmetic nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification, advanced degrees, and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified aesthetic/cosmetic nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For aesthetic/cosmetic nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Leadership roles can include managing a busy dermatology clinic or higher practice roles, like those filled by nurse practitioners.
Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for aesthetic/cosmetic nurses?
According to the BLS, the highest-paid aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.
2. What do aesthetic/cosmetic nurses make per hour?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay aesthetic/cosmetic nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
