Esthetician Medical Assistant: Career Overview, Duties, Salary, and How to Become One
Jan 28, 2026
An esthetician medical assistant is a healthcare professional who supports licensed providers in aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices. These specialists combine traditional medical assisting skills with knowledge of cosmetic procedures, patient preparation, and clinical safety protocols.
This guide is designed for students and career changers exploring medical assisting programs, offering a clear overview of responsibilities, education pathways, salary expectations, and certification options on how to become an esthetician medical assistant.
What Is an Esthetician Medical Assistant?
An esthetician medical assistant is a certified and experienced medical assistant who works in aesthetic and cosmetic medical settings, assisting licensed healthcare providers with patient care, administrative tasks, and cosmetic procedures such as Botox, laser treatments, and skin resurfacing.
What Does an Esthetician Medical Assistant Do?
Esthetician medical assistants perform clinical and administrative tasks, with added responsibilities specific to cosmetic and dermatologic care beyond any medical assistant career advancement.
Clinical Tasks
- Take and record vital signs
- Prepare patients for cosmetic procedures
- Assist during Botox, filler, laser, and microneedling treatments
- Maintain sterile technique
- Apply post-procedure dressings
- Clean and disinfect treatment rooms
Administrative Tasks
- Schedule patient appointments
- Update electronic health records (EHRs)
- Handle billing and insurance coordination
- Answer patient inquiries
- Maintain compliance documentation and accurate medical records
Where Do Esthetician Medical Assistants Work?
Esthetician medical assistant duties include in a range of outpatient, patient-facing healthcare environments focused on aesthetic and cosmetic medicine. These settings typically require long periods of standing, frequent patient interaction, and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Most esthetician medical assistants are employed in medical spas, aesthetic medicine clinics, dermatology practices, plastic surgery offices, and cosmetic laser treatment centers in any medical facility, where they support licensed providers and help ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care.
Skills Needed to Become an Esthetician Medical Assistant
Medical education programs emphasize both technical and soft basic medical assistant skills. Key competencies include:
- Attention to detail
- Manual dexterity
- Strong organization
- Professional communication
- Customer service and patient education
- Empathy and discretion
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Basic computer and EHR skills
- Time management
Esthetician Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
Learning about current salary expectations and employment is an important step when considering a career as an esthetician medical assistant. As aesthetic and outpatient services continue to expand, both earning potential and job stability make this role an attractive option within the medical assisting field.
How Much Does an Esthetician Medical Assistant Make?
The average esthetician medical assistant salary in the United States is approximately $44,000 per year according to ZipRecruiter, with entry-level professionals earning around $29,000 and experienced assistants earning over $53,000 annually, depending on location and experience in this vital role.
Job Outlook
Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow by about 15% over the next decade (Anderson College), significantly faster than average. Growth is driven by increased demand for outpatient care, dermatology services, and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.
How to Become an Esthetician Medical Assistant
Is it hard to become a Medical Assistant? An esthetician medical assistant requires a combination of formal education, hands-on clinical training, and professional certification. Medical education platforms generally outline a structured pathway that prepares students to meet clinical, administrative, and regulatory requirements while developing the specialized skills needed for aesthetic medical settings.
Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or GED
This is the minimum requirement to enroll in a medical assistant program.
Step 2: Complete a Medical Assistant Training Program
Programs cover topics such as infection control, clinical procedures, patient care, medical law, and documentation. The Florida Healthcare Academy Medical Assistant Program takes up from 12 to 24 weeks.
Step 3: Gain Clinical Hands-On Experience
Externships or clinical placements in dermatology or aesthetic clinics help students apply their training and build confidence.
Step 4: Obtain Certification
While not always required by law, certification significantly improves employability.
Step 5: Apply for Positions and Maintain Credentials
Most certifications require renewal every two years through continuing education.
Esthetician Medical Assistant Certification Options
Some states have additional regulatory requirements, but certification is widely preferred nationwide. Common certifications recognized by employers include:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – Offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – Offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Frequently Asked Questions About Esthetician Medical Assistant Career Questions
Is an esthetician medical assistant the same as an esthetician?
No. An esthetician medical assistant is a medical professional who works under licensed providers and performs clinical and administrative tasks. An esthetician focuses on skincare treatments and typically does not provide medical procedures.
Do esthetician medical assistants perform Botox or fillers?
They do not administer injections independently. However, they often assist licensed providers during Botox, filler, and laser procedures.
How long does it take to become an esthetician medical assistant?
Training typically takes 4 months to 2 years, depending on the program and credential pursued.
Is certification required to work as an esthetician medical assistant?
Certification is not required in all states, but most employers strongly prefer certified candidates.
Can medical assistants work in medical spas?
Yes. Many medical spas employ certified medical assistants to support aesthetic and cosmetic procedures.
Join our FHCA Program
For students interested in both healthcare and aesthetics, the esthetician medical assistant role offers strong job growth, competitive pay, and patient-focused work in outpatient settings. With the right training and certification, this career provides clear opportunities for specialization and long-term growth.
At FHCA Orlando, we equip students with the hands-on skills and industry-aligned education needed to confidently enter this fast-growing area of modern medicine.
