Esthetician Schools in Wisconsin

If you want to become an esthetician in Wisconsin, now could be the perfect time. The field is growing rapidly, and Wisconsin requires less time in school to become an esthetician than many other states. If you want to work in the field while getting your training hours, Wisconsin also offers a path to esthetics licensure through apprenticeship.

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Wisconsin, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Esthetician Schools in Wisconsin

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940 Hansen Road
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304

(920) 494-1430
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

5655 South 27th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53221

(414) 282-4110
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

353 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI 53715

(608) 250-3100
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

327 East Saint Paul Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

2310 West Court Street
Janesville, WI 53548

(888) 616-9051
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training
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Academy of Beauty Professionals - Appleton – Accredited

525 Westhill Boulevard
Appleton, WI 54914

Academy of Beauty Professionals - Green Bay – Accredited

2575 West Mason Street
Green Bay, WI 54303

Academy of Beauty Professionals - Madison – Accredited

6414 Odana Road
Madison, WI 53719

Chanell Ardor Schools of Beauty and Culture

1810 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53713

First Class Cosmetology School – Accredited

306 State Street
Beloit, WI 53511

Mequon Thinesville School of Esthetics

11135 North Wauwatosa Road
Mequon, WI 53097

Milwaukee Area Technical College

700 West State Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233

State College of Beauty Culture – Accredited

1930 Grand Avenue
Wausau, WI 54403

The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton – Accredited

3355 West College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54914

The Salon Professional Academy - Kenosha – Accredited

3701 80th Street Suite B
Kenosha, WI 53142

The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska – Accredited

566 Theater Road
Onalaska, WI 54650

The Washington County School Of Esthetics

425B East Washington Street
Slinger, WI 53086

VICI Beauty School – Accredited

4111 South 108th Street
Greenfield, WI 53228

Waukesha County Technical College

800 Main Street
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Wisconsin have to offer.

How to Become a Esthetician in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 450 education hours or 450 apprenticeship hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 4 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for estheticians in Wisconsin is $37,170.
  • There is a predicted 18% job increase between 2020–2030 for estheticians.

Estheticians, also called "aestheticians" or "skincare specialists," are licensed professionals who perform skin and body treatments. Procedures include facials, waxes, makeup applications, and more.

Before you can work as an esthetician in Wisconsin, you must have state board licensure. To be eligible for licensure, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have graduated from high school (or equivalent)
  • Complete at least 450 training hours in 11 to 30 weeks at a state-recognized school
  • Pass written and practical exams
  • Pay the relevant initial licensure fee
  • Submit to a criminal background check

Having a criminal record doesn't immediately stop you from gaining your esthetician's license. But, if you have a record, tell the board immediately and apply for a pre-application review.

If the conviction relates to the beauty industry, you must submit a form about that issue.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Wisconsin

$37,170

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Wisconsin

On average, estheticians in Wisconsin earn an annual salary of $37,170, or $17.87 per hour. This is below the national average of $41,700. But, the cost of living in the state is also somewhat lower than average.

Salaries range from a low of around $18,880 to a high of $56,720, with the median salary being $35,370. Esthetician pay can depend on factors like location, treatments offered, and experience.

For example, an established esthetician working in a high-end city spa can generally expect to earn more than a new worker in a rural location.

Job growth for estheticians in Wisconsin is looking up. The state expects an estimated increase of 18% from 2020-2030. This translates to 90 new positions opening up each year.

The highest-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for estheticians in Wisconsin are:

Metropolitan or nonmetropolitan Area 2021 Median Salary
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI $48,300
Eau Claire, WI $37,540
Madison, WI $35,420
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $33,940
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $33,500

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

State License Requirements

450 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

To earn an esthetics license in Wisconsin, you must finish at least 450 hours at an approved school.

Training must last 11 to 30 weeks and should cover a variety of topics, including (but not limited to):

  • Chemistry and biology of the skin
  • Facial treatments
  • Spa treatments
  • Hair removal
  • Makeup application
  • Business management
  • Guest services
  • Sanitation and safety
  • Sales and marketing
  • Esthetics exam prep

Esthetics schools in Wisconsin must gain and maintain licensure to operate. Schools renew licenses every two years on March 31 after proving they meet all standards.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Wisconsin?

450 Apprenticeship Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

It's also possible to gain your esthetics license in Wisconsin by apprenticeship. You must complete 450 training hours in 11-30 weeks. A cosmetology or esthetics instructor must supervise your work in a licensed establishment.

Esthetics apprenticeships must cover the same topics and techniques as a school curriculum. These include facials, physiology, infection control, spa treatments, hair removal, makeup, and more.

Wisconsin Esthetician Licensing Requirements

Once you complete 450 training hours, you should be ready to take (and pass) the state board exams and gain your license. You must pass two exams—practical and theory (written). DL Roope administers both tests.

The practical exam is only in English, but the written examination is in many languages. All Wisconsin State Law questions are in English only.

If you trained in a Wisconsin esthetics program, you can apply for your practical exam on paper or online.

If you graduated in another state or are reinstating a lapsed license, you must fill out an Out of State & Reinstate application.

Upon application, you need to pay a non-refundable fee of $177 for the practical exam or $137 for the written exam. This amount includes the exam and the State Board licensing fees. If you fail either exam, you may retake them. But you must pay a retake fee of $155 for the practical exam or $95.50 for the written exam.

You need at least a 75 on each test to pass. Results appear online after the test, and you're notified when they're available. You can also ask them to send the results by mail.

DL Roope complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in providing accommodations. If you need extra help to be able to take either exam, notify the Board in advance.

Wisconsin Esthetician Practical Exam

On the day of your practical exam, you must arrive at the time on your admission letter. Registration begins 30 minutes before your exam time. You must present the letter and a valid government-issued ID with a photo and signature.

If you're late, you give up your fee and can't take the test that day.

The practical exam takes approximately three hours and covers the following subjects:

  • Work area preparation and set up of supplies—first client (10 minutes)
  • Client preparation and basic facial (25 minutes)
  • Work area preparation for new client and set up of supplies—second client (10 minutes)
  • Client preparation and eyebrow hair removal with simulated soft wax and tweezers (5-minute setup; untimed procedure)
  • Facial makeup (20 minutes)
  • Blood exposure procedure (10 minutes)

All exam supply labels must be in English. There should be no handwritten labeling—original labels only.

In addition, you must use EPA-registered disinfectant wipes. These products need bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal properties.

Wisconsin Esthetician Written Exam

The written examination takes 90 minutes to complete and covers the following areas:

Scientific Concepts (55%)

  • Basic chemistry and purpose of cosmetic products
  • Composition of body hair
  • Histology and physiology of the skin
  • Human physiology and anatomy
  • Infection control procedures
  • Skin disorders and diseases

Skin Care and Services (45%)

  • Cleansing procedures
  • Client consultation and documentation
  • Electrical equipment used during skin services
  • Exfoliation procedures
  • Extraction procedures
  • Hair removal methods
  • Makeup application
  • Masks
  • Massage movements and effects
  • Steaming procedures
  • Other services

Wisconsin Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

If you earned an esthetics license elsewhere and want to work in Wisconsin, you may be able to get licensure by endorsement. This lets you bypass the regular requirements. To do this, you must:

Active-duty military whose esthetician licenses are about to expire can apply for license extensions. They must be within 90-180 days of discharge.

This also applies to military spouses who haven't been able to work while the service member is on active duty.

Service members and spouses can also ask for hardship extensions beyond 180 days. They may also be eligible for continuing education waivers or extensions.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

4 Hours

Continuing education required

All licensed estheticians in Wisconsin must renew their licenses every two years. The renewal date is the same for all licensees, occurring on March 31 of every odd-numbered year. Each renewal costs $11, though if you submit yours late, the price rises to $36.

All licensees must complete four hours of continuing education before renewing their licenses.

Contact the Wisconsin State Board of Esthetics

Department of Safety and Professional Services
Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
Wisconsin

How to Become a Esthetician in Your State