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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)

£16,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

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 in beauty therapy. This may help if you apply for jobs as a trainee in a salon or spa.

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 between 15 and 18 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job 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 out 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 also train with a private beauty school.

More Information

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 Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority and the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.

You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers

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 to put clients at ease
  • 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
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

  • 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 a manicure, pedicure or other nail treatment like extensions and nail art
  • remove unwanted facial and body hair
  • do non-surgical skin improvement treatments
  • offer ultraviolet (UV) treatments and spray tanning

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 progress to salon manager.

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

You could also move into fashion, theatre or media make-up.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Beauty Therapist

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Portsmouth Road, Liphook

Apprentice Beauty Therapist

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Chesham Road, Tring
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Certificate in Beauty Therapy

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: PLYMOUTH

Beauty Therapy Techniques Certificate

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Paignton
Find courses near you

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