How Much Do Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurses Make?
Aesthetic nurses can be found working in private plastic surgery and dermatology practices as well as in medical spas and outpatient surgery facilities. If you’re considering becoming an aesthetic nurse, you’re likely wondering how much you can make.
Read on to find information on average aesthetic nurse salaries, as well as on the factors that affect how much you can earn as an aesthetic nurse.
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Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
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Average Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Salary
ZipRecruiter reports that the average aesthetic nurse salary in the United States is $80,321, or $39 per hour, while the median salary for all nurses is $86,070, or $41.38 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 report.
The salary range for aesthetic nurses can be significant. The same ZipRecruiter analysis indicates that those in the bottom 25% of earnings make $61,500 per year, and those in the top 25% earn $90,000 or more.
Many variables determine aesthetic nurse salaries, including geography, years of experience, work setting, and education.
Aesthetic Nurse Salary by State
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Washington | $90,972 | $43.74 |
| District of Columbia | $90,765 | $43.64 |
| New York | $87,874 | $42.25 |
| Massachusetts | $87,721 | $42.17 |
| Alaska | $86,502 | $41.59 |
| Vermont | $85,402 | $41.06 |
| North Dakota | $84,986 | $40.86 |
| Oregon | $84,923 | $40.83 |
| Colorado | $84,459 | $40.61 |
| Hawaii | $83,451 | $40.12 |
| Nevada | $81,792 | $39.32 |
| New Jersey | $81,545 | $39.20 |
| Wisconsin | $81,073 | $38.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,514 | $38.71 |
| Delaware | $80,391 | $38.65 |
| South Dakota | $80,321 | $38.62 |
| Virginia | $79,632 | $38.28 |
| California | $79,269 | $38.11 |
| Minnesota | $78,668 | $37.82 |
| Rhode Island | $78,660 | $37.82 |
| New Hampshire | $78,113 | $37.55 |
| Maryland | $77,955 | $37.48 |
| New Mexico | $77,837 | $37.42 |
| Illinois | $77,833 | $37.42 |
| Maine | $77,767 | $37.39 |
| Wyoming | $77,207 | $37.12 |
| Nebraska | $76,582 | $36.82 |
| Indiana | $76,431 | $36.75 |
| Connecticut | $76,409 | $36.74 |
| Ohio | $76,361 | $36.71 |
| Mississippi | $76,070 | $36.57 |
| Idaho | $75,574 | $36.33 |
| Iowa | $75,443 | $36.27 |
| Missouri | $75,342 | $36.22 |
| Arizona | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Texas | $74,832 | $35.98 |
| South Carolina | $74,535 | $35.83 |
| Oklahoma | $74,163 | $35.66 |
| Montana | $73,723 | $35.44 |
| Utah | $73,122 | $35.15 |
| North Carolina | $72,996 | $35.09 |
| Tennessee | $72,901 | $35.05 |
| Alabama | $72,802 | $35.00 |
| Kansas | $71,634 | $34.44 |
| Michigan | $70,008 | $33.66 |
| Kentucky | $69,761 | $33.54 |
| Louisiana | $68,685 | $33.02 |
| Georgia | $67,822 | $32.61 |
| Arkansas | $66,418 | $31.93 |
| West Virginia | $62,182 | $29.90 |
| Florida | $60,023 | $28.86 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Aesthetic Nurse Salary by Years of Experience
According to Glassdoor, aesthetic nurses can expect their income to grow substantially as they gain more experience:
-
Less than 1 year of experience earns an average annual salary of $90,000
-
1-3 years of experience earn an average annual salary of $93,000
-
4-6 years of experience earn an average annual salary of $97,000
-
7-14 years of experience earns an average annual salary of $99,000
-
15 or more years of experience earns an average annual salary of $99,000
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Aesthetic Nurse Salary by Work Setting
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific salary data for aesthetic nurses. However, their salary by workplace may be comparable to general registered nursing wages as reported by the BLS:
Most aesthetic nurses work in either dermatology or plastic surgery private practices or medical spas, though some work in outpatient care settings. RNs in private offices generally earn less ($83,110 annually) than those in hospitals ($96,830 annually).
However, the specialized care that aesthetic nurses provide at outpatient surgery centers can command a higher salary, as RNs in those settings earn an average annual salary of $102,640.
How to Increase Your Salary as an Aesthetic Nurse
The broad range of possible aesthetic nurse salaries reflects geographic, workplace, and experiential differences. While these factors may feel difficult to change, there are several steps you can take to improve your income as an aesthetic nurse.
In this section, we explore ways that you can optimize your aesthetic nurse salary.
1. Pursue Higher Education
You must have a registered nursing license to become an aesthetic nurse, which includes completing an accredited nursing program at the associate's or baccalaureate level and passing the NCLEX-RN.
Training & Courses
To begin your aesthetic nurse training, you can gain experience by working with board-certified physicians in plastic/aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology. You can also pursue further education through specialized courses from accredited educational programs like those offered by the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery.
Credentials
Any additional aesthetic/cosmetic nurse certifications and education you choose to pursue can profoundly impact your compensation. Options include:
-
Certification as an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. This requires 6,000 practical hours and is administered through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board.
-
Master of Science in Nursing/Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner. In full-practice states, aesthetic nurses who earn their master’s degree and become advanced practice nurse practitioners are eligible for higher salaries when they work with physicians. They are also able to open and operate their independent aesthetic practices.
2. Salary Negotiation
Though many view the salary accompanying a job offer as set in stone, nursing shortages and demands for skilled aesthetic nurses give you leverage to negotiate a higher salary. The more credentials, extensive experience, or an advanced education you've accumulated, the more negotiating power you have.
Skilled salary negotiation starts with preparation. Before you begin, thoroughly research aesthetic nurse salaries in your area. Also, list the unique skills, experience, and competencies you bring to the table.
Practice what you will say to the hiring manager, remaining confident and respectful. Be open to the value of benefits such as health, dental, and life insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
3. Consider Travel Nursing
Opting for travel nursing jobs can significantly increase your income quickly. In the face of nursing shortages, many hospitals, clinics, and private practices are turning to travel nurses. Those who have honed a specialty, like aesthetic nurses, are in especially high demand and can command generous fees and bonuses.
4. Change How You Work
Your initial image of life as an aesthetic nurse may have followed a traditional path. Maybe you picture yourself working full or part time at a single facility on regular shifts. However, pursuing alternative work schedules can help you increase your income. Consider the following types of work and how they may optimize your salary:
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Per Diem – Per diem translates to per day, and per diem nurses get paid for each workday. Their flexibility typically translates to a higher hourly rate than standard shift nurses. The disadvantage to working per diem as an aesthetic nurse is that you will not receive typical employee benefits.
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Contract – Contract nurses sign agreements with a facility promising to work in a position for a specific, limited period. Contract nurses have the advantage of knowing the hours and compensation they will receive and may be offered extensions if the need continues or another opening arises. Travel nursing is a type of contract nursing assignment.
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Overtime – This is a higher hourly pay provided to those who work beyond a full-time shift, which is usually interpreted as 40 hours per week. Each employer will offer their own overtime pay structure, with some paying time-and-a-half and others as much as triple pay for overtime hours.
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Shift differential – Shift differential is a higher hourly payment offered to those who are willing to work shifts that are harder to fill, including night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
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Bonuses – Bonuses may be offered as signing incentives or as rewards for superlative performance. Aesthetic nurses whose skill or manner attracts additional clients to a private practice or who are able to encourage clients to pursue more services would be highly likely to be offered this type of compensation.
-
Hazard Pay – Hazard pay offers nurses a higher rate of pay for working in dangerous or difficult conditions.
Is it Worth it to Become an Aesthetic Nurse?
Becoming an aesthetic nurse has several perks. Working at chic med spas or dermatology offices instead of hospitals may already sell the career to some.
But will the time and financial investment in aesthetic nursing education and training pay off quickly? To answer that question, we must assess a few variables, including tuition costs and salary estimates.
Cost to Salary Comparison
Nursing school tuition varies widely depending on several factors, including:
- School location
- Whether the university is public or private
- Full vs part-time attendance
- Number of transfer credits
- Whether students are state residents
Due to these variables, the most narrow approximate tuition range for an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) is $6,000 to $20,000, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can cost $20,000 to $100,000. Advanced practice nursing degrees can add $35,000 to $70,000 to your total tuition investment.
With the median annual income of aesthetic nurses at $80,321, or $39 per hour, we can determine that aesthetic nurses can recoup their educational expenses relatively quickly. In addition to providing a fulfilling career with significant job security and satisfaction, becoming an aesthetic nurse may be worth it for you.
Salaries of Related Nursing Careers
There are many reasons for choosing a career as an aesthetic nurse. Beyond the satisfaction of helping patients improve their appearance, the profession is distinguished by the fact that practitioners generally work in private offices rather than in a hospital setting and that most of their patients are non-emergent and seeking elective procedures.
Though these characteristics are unique, several other nursing specialties are similar enough to consider. Here are a few, with the median average salaries that practitioners earn.
- Dermatology Nurse – According to ZipRecruiter, dermatology nurses' national average annual salary is $56,799.
- Fertility Nurse – According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for a Fertility RN in the US is $99,696 annually.
- Plastic Surgery Nurse– ZipRecruiter reports that Ophthalmic nurses earn an average annual salary of $129,668.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
