How to Determine Your Service Pricing as an Esthetician

By Maria Ramos, Licensed Esthetician, Founder & Lead Admin of The Money Making Esthetician Facebook Group

If you're trying to figure out how much to charge for your services, you're not alone! Many estheticians struggle with pricing, especially when trying to find a balance between offering value and earning a profit. One common strategy is to charge based on the duration of the service, typically using a per-minute rate as a guideline. The most common starting point is one dollar per minute, but depending on your skill set, the treatments you offer, and your market, you may charge more per minute for higher-end services. Let's break down a few examples:

Table of Contents

Pricing Breakdown:

At $1 per minute

  • 30-minute treatment = $30
  • 60-minute treatment = $60
  • 90-minute treatment = $90

At $2 per minute

  • 30-minute treatment = $60
  • 60-minute treatment = $120
  • 90-minute treatment = $180

At $3 per minute

  • 30-minute treatment = $90
  • 60-minute treatment = $180
  • 90-minute treatment = $270

Charging more per minute can be justified if you're providing advanced treatments, using premium products, or offering a luxurious, spa-like experience. For example, if you're charging $2 per minute, it may reflect the use of specialized tools, longer consultation times, or top-tier skincare products.

Example of Setting Financial Goals

Let’s say your goal is to earn $10,000 in a month. How many facials would you need to perform at different price points?

  • At $1 per minute ($60 for a 60-minute facial):You would need to do about 167 facials a month ($10,000 ÷ $60). That’s around 42 facials a week or about 6 facials a day if you work 7 days a week.
  • At $2 per minute ($120 for a 60-minute facial):You would need to perform about 84 facials a month ($10,000 ÷ $120). This means doing 21 facials a week, or about 3 facials a day if you work 7 days a week.
  • At $3 per minute ($180 for a 60-minute facial):You would need about 56 facials a month ($10,000 ÷ $180), which breaks down to 14 facials a week or about 2 facials a day if you work 7 days a week.

Important Disclaimer

These pricing examples are just guidelines. It’s crucial to check the pricing in your area before finalizing your rates. Pricing too low or too high could impact your bookings, so be sure to find a sweet spot that reflects the value you provide and aligns with your local market.

Helpful Tip

If you're unsure how to price your services based on where you live, you can use ChatGPT to gather information. Here are three helpful questions you can ask ChatGPT to get pricing insights for your area:

  1. "What is the typical price range for facials in [your city/state]?"
  2. "How much do luxury estheticians charge for premium facials in [your area]?"
  3. "What factors influence facial prices in [your city], and how can I stay competitive?"

Asking these questions will give you valuable insights to set pricing that works for your business and helps you reach your financial goals. Good luck!

 

👉 Looking for more guidance on growing your esthetics business? Join the Money Making Esthetician Facebook Group for real-world strategies and inspiration—created by estheticians, for estheticians.

 

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