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Beauty therapist

Alternative titles for this job include Beautician

Beauty therapists provide face and body treatments to help clients look and feel better.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£29,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

30 to 37

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

Meet Amy

Amy now owns her own beauty therapy business.

1 minute 57 second watch

View transcript

Hi my name’s Amy and I’m the owner of the Nail and Beauty Studio in Dronfield.

So, I started with my level 2 beauty therapy. Turns out from there I thoroughly enjoyed it and went on to do my level 3.

Then I came here - I worked for the previous owner for 5 years.

I kind of got a little bit itchy feet… went out to Australia! And I worked in a salon there. So I learned various different techniques, it was a completely different way of working in a salon. But it was great that I could take my skill from one country to another.

I then came back home and my job was still available here, so took it back.

And then that's when I approached the previous owner and said I'd like a bit more would you be willing to sell the business. And that's when I bought the business around 8 years ago now.

So normal day at the salon involves getting here around 9/9:30 we set the salon up, open the blinds, turn everything on, make sure it's all clean and tidy.

First client normally arrives at 9:30 - can be anything from a facial, waxing, massage, nails.

And you can meet so many different people as well. Like, your first client can be someone completely different to your client just after lunch.

It's quite interesting because you almost become that person that can change your personality to suit each client to.

I have this one particular client that has probably through my career has been the highlight.

Started coming to me when she was 18. Really stressed skin, suffered with acne. Worked with her and for probably 9 or 10 years now.

We've looked into different treatments. I've actually done specific training in a certain treatment just so I can offer it to her.

To see her come in now with no makeup on whatsoever with a big smile on her face saying ‘I've not worn makeup to work for three weeks’, I feel that's the best part of my job really making someone feel comfortable in their own skin.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by private training providers

College

You could study for a college qualification, which may help when you apply for jobs as a trainee in a salon or spa. 

Courses include:

  • beauty therapy
  • massage therapy
  • aromatherapy
  • nail technology
  • beauty specialist techniques

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Beauty Therapist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Advanced Beauty Therapist Level 3 Apprenticeship.

These typically take up to 2 years to complete and combine work-based training with periods of study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a beauty therapy assistant in a salon or spa. You could then study for a qualification while you're working.

Other Routes

You could take beauty therapy courses with private training providers, that can be found by searching online.

It's important to research and compare exactly what is included in courses, whether they lead to a recognised qualification and what the costs are.

More Information

Career tips

Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE) or pro rata. Actual pay will depend on the number of hours you work each week or month.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to get professional recognition by joining a register like the Guild of Beauty Therapists.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in beauty therapy from the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority and the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding towards your clients’ needs
  • the ability to work well with your hands for giving treatments
  • excellent verbal communication skills to explain treatments
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a beauty therapist, you could:

  • give a facial by cleansing, massaging and toning a client's skin
  • do a makeover by applying and advising on make-up
  • shape eyebrows and colour eyelashes
  • give manicures, pedicures and treatments like extensions and nail art
  • remove unwanted facial and body hair
  • do non-surgical skin improvement treatments
  • offer ultraviolet (UV) treatments and spray tanning
  • give related treatments, if trained to do so, such as aromatherapy

Working environment

You could work in a salon, at a health spa, on a cruise ship, in a hotel or from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become:

  • an assistant manager
  • overall salon manager
  • beauty services sales and marketing manager, with a hotel and spa company

You could work self-employed and set up your own salon, work from home or travel to clients.

You might also use your skills and experience to work in fashion, theatre or media make-up.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Beauty Therapist Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Macclesfield

Beauty Therapist Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Macclesfield
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Beauty Therapy

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: Keighley

Beauty Therapy

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: Paignton
Find courses near you

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