Prevailing Wage for Skincare Specialists
Prevailing wage floors for Skincare Specialists, SOC 39-5094, apply to every sponsored H-1B, E-3, and green card petition in this occupation. Whether your offer is for an Aesthetician at a medical spa or a Clinical Esthetician in a dermatology clinic, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor shifts considerably by city.
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Entry-level estheticians or electrologists with limited professional experience, typically under two years. Duties are routine and closely supervised. Employers filing at Level 1 generally sponsor candidates in training-track or junior spa roles with narrow service menus.
Qualified practitioners with two or more years of independent client experience. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Skincare Specialists, covering licensed estheticians performing the full range of facial and body treatments without close supervision.
Experienced specialists who handle complex or advanced treatments, such as laser procedures or clinical protocols, and may informally guide junior staff. Employers typically file at Level 3 for senior esthetician or lead treatment roles in medical or clinical settings.
Fully competent specialists at the top of the occupation. These practitioners often set treatment protocols, manage service menus, or lead a team of estheticians. Positions in high-end medical spas or dermatology practices with supervisory scope typically warrant Level 4 filings.
Prevailing Wage for Skincare Specialists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Skincare Specialists and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your license maps to the right SOC
Titles like Medical Esthetician or Clinical Esthetician are sometimes mis-filed under cosmetology SOC codes, moving the prevailing wage floor. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both reference SOC 39-5094 before signing.
Scrutinize tip and commission in your offer
Skincare Specialists at spas and salons often receive a portion of income as gratuities or retail commissions. DOL counts only guaranteed base wages toward prevailing wage compliance, so confirm your base salary alone clears the applicable floor.
Compare metro wages before choosing a worksite
The prevailing wage for estheticians in Olympia or Seattle is dramatically higher than in San Juan or Sioux Falls. Because the LCA must reflect your actual worksite, relocating to a lower-cost metro can put a borderline offer into compliance.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with esthetician history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have previously sponsored Skincare Specialists, letting you focus on medical spas, dermatology groups, and wellness chains with a documented record of H-1B or green card filings for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Skincare SpecialistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 39-5094.00 alongside Skincare Specialists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Aesthetician Prevailing Wage
Aesthetician Prevailing Wage
Aesthetician positions fall under SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Clinical Esthetician Prevailing Wage
Clinical Esthetician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Clinical Esthetician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electrologist Prevailing Wage
Electrologist Prevailing Wage
Electrologist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Esthetician Prevailing Wage
Esthetician Prevailing Wage
Esthetician positions fall under SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Facialist Prevailing Wage
Facialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Facialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Medical Esthetician Prevailing Wage
Medical Esthetician Prevailing Wage
Medical Esthetician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Skin Therapist Prevailing Wage
Skin Therapist Prevailing Wage
Skin Therapist positions fall under SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Skincare Therapist Prevailing Wage
Skincare Therapist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Skincare Therapist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Spa Technician (Spa Tech) Prevailing Wage
Spa Technician (Spa Tech) Prevailing Wage
Spa Technician (Spa Tech) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-5094.00 (Skincare Specialists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Skincare Specialists?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Skincare Specialists using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OFLC combines employer-reported wage surveys across each metropolitan area and assigns a four-level wage scale based on experience and job complexity for SOC 39-5094. Employers must certify they will pay at least the applicable level on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect experience and autonomy: Level 1 is entry-level under supervision, Level 2 is fully independent practice, Level 3 covers experienced specialists handling advanced treatments or informal mentoring, and Level 4 is reserved for senior or protocol-setting roles. Check the wage level cited on your employer's LCA, then compare your actual duties and years of experience to confirm the filing reflects your role accurately.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same esthetician role vary so much by city?
OFLC calculates prevailing wages separately for each metropolitan statistical area using regional BLS occupational wage surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the number. A Skincare Specialist worksite in Seattle reflects wages paid by employers competing in that market, not a national average. Because the LCA must list your actual work location, your employer cannot use a lower-wage metro's floor if you will be working in a higher-wage city.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored Skincare Specialists position?
An employer cannot lawfully certify an LCA for a sponsored position if the offered wage falls below the applicable DOL prevailing wage. USCIS will reject or deny the accompanying H-1B or immigrant visa petition. For PERM-based green card cases, OFLC will not certify the application. The employer must either raise the salary to meet the floor or refile at a lower wage level if the duties genuinely support it.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for Skincare Specialists in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website to look up the current four-level wage table for SOC 39-5094 in any metropolitan area. Enter the occupation code and your worksite city to see the Level 1 through Level 4 floors. Migrate Mate can also help you identify employers who have historically sponsored Skincare Specialists so you can research the salary ranges those sponsors have offered.
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