Congratulations on your decision to start your career as a Laser Technician.

The consistent advancements in the field of aesthetics have driven a high demand for Laser Technicians across the world, and you can be one of them.

The use of lasers in the medical and aesthetics industries continues to grow year over year, with most doctors and dermatologists employing technicians in their offices. In fact, the US Department of Labor estimates a 13% increase in the need for skincare professionals between 2016 and 2026, about twice the growth of all other professions.

Laser Technician Schools

Like most medical specialties, becoming a Laser Technician requires special training to master the skills required to compliant with state regulation and to become certified.

There are many options for laser technician school, both online and in person, that offer the specialty training. These schools train you in the use of cosmetic lasers to remove hair, remove dead skin cells and tighten skin, and reduce the visibility of marks and veins. A more detailed list of laser therapies can be found here.

Laser Technician School typically takes between 2 and 6 weeks to complete, based on your study habits and the program you choose.

Laser Technician Certification

After completing your laser technician training, some states may also require you pass an examination and hold a certification to work as a technician. In addition, these states may also require you hold an associates or bachelors degree.

For a detailed listing of the requirements for your state, use the map below.

Laser Technician Jobs and Salary

The job market for Laser Technicians continues to grow year over year. On average. In 2016, skincare accounts for approximately 61,300 jobs in America and is expected to grow by about 7,700 by 2026. If you also consider that by 2028 most baby boomers will retire, we estimate another 5% of job openings within the next 10 years making the laser technician job one with extensive growth and stable employment opportunity.

Most Laser Technicians are employed by medical spas and work under the direction of medical doctors. Job duties include completing detailed medical evaluations of patients, explaining the procedures benefits and risks, and performing the laser treatment which can include hair removal, vein reduction, skin rejuvenation and more.

Salary is dependent based on your geographical location with the national average right at $30,270/year or $14.55/hour. With experience, Laser Technicians can earn up to $58,800/year or $29.74/hour. On average, laser Technicians that work at a medical office make about 26% more than those employed at a Professional Care Facility, however PCF employees often benefit from profit sharing or commission based work.

Long gone are the days of walking into a doctor’s office or spa and asking for an application. Don’t get me wrong, you can still try this but most hiring managers use career sites like Monster, Indeed and Career Builder to source and hire prospective Laser Technicians.

You can find a more detailed analysis of job duties, typical salaries, work environments and resume tips here.

Laser Tattoo Removal Technician

Tattoo removal is one of the most common uses of lasers in dermatology since the late 1990’s. The once thought to be permanent tattoo can be removed through laser treatments at most dermatology, and aestheticians offices.

Laser tattoo removal works by pulsing short wave lasers into the skin and breaking up the ink particles which exist below the surface. The ink is then absorbed slowly by your blood and removed from your system. It typically takes 7 or more weeks, depending on the size of the tattoo to completely break down the ink.

This continued need for tattoo removal has created a great opportunity for Laser Technicians in the United States, as well as the Canada, Mexico and the European Nations.

To become a laser tattoo technician requires specific training and perhaps a certification from the state in which you intend to practice. To learn about what it takes to become a technician, as well as other laser related topics, visit our details page here.