How Much Does a Medical Director Cost for a Medspa? 2025 Pricing Guide

If you’re planning to open a medspa or already operate one, one of the first compliance questions you’ll face is this:

How much does a medical director cost for a medspa?

This is not a small detail. By law, every medspa in the US must operate under physician oversight. That means whether you’re a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or even a nonclinical business owner, you can’t legally run a medspa without a medical director in place.

The problem? Most new owners don’t know what a fair price is.

Across the industry in 2025, the average cost for one provider is $1,000–$1,250 per month. Prices then increase if you add additional injectors or expand your menu of services.

Unfortunately, many companies inflate this number, quoting $2,500 to $6,000 per month and tacking on hidden charges like placement fees, document prep fees, and even “MSO premiums.” Those extras can double or triple your startup costs.

At Medical Director Co., we do things differently. We place you directly with a licensed medical director in as little as 24 hours, and we never charge placement, matching, or paperwork fees. Your MSO agreement is complimentary, saving you thousands upfront.

This guide explains everything:

• Why medspas legally need a medical director
• What factors affect cost
• The true average cost in 2025
• Pricing models (per procedure vs per provider)
• Hidden fees to watch out for—especially the MSO premium.
• How our model saves you money and gets you compliant faster.

 

Why Every Medspa Needs a Medical Director

It’s not optional—every medspa is considered a medical practice because it delivers treatments like Botox®, dermal fillers, IV hydration, PRP, and laser procedures.

By law, only a physician (MD/DO) has the authority to:

• Provide prescriptive authority for medications (Botox®, lidocaine, antibiotics, nausea meds, etc.).
• Approve standing orders and protocols.
• Supervise RNs, NPs, and PAs who deliver patient care.
• Ensure compliance with state boards of medicine and nursing.
• Carry liability for the medical portion of your business.

Without a medical director, your medspa risks regulatory fines, license suspension, insurance issues, and shutdown.

 

Factors That Affect Medical Director Pricing

Not every medspa pays the same. Here are the biggest variables that determine your monthly cost.

1. State Regulations

In strict states like Texas, California, or North Carolina, oversight costs are higher.

States like Arizona or Nevada are more flexible.

2. Scope of Services

A medspa offering only Botox® or fillers will usually pay less.

Adding IVs, hormones, weight loss, or lasers increases physician risk and, consequently, their fees.

3. Number of Providers

Fees usually increase per injector supervised.

Example: A one-provider Botox® spa in Michigan may pay $1,200/month, while a three-injector medspa in Florida could pay $3,500+.

4. Experience of the Medical Director

Board-certified aesthetics MDs may charge more than family medicine doctors.

5. Clinic Size & Locations

A single-location RN-owned medspa in Tennessee pays less than a multilocation chain in Georgia or Ohio.

 

The Average Cost of a Medical Director in 2025

Here’s what you can realistically expect:

• One provider, Botox®/fillers only: $1,000–$1,250/month
• Two to three providers: $2,500–$3,500/month
• Larger medspas with advanced services: $4,500–$6,000/month

Some companies exaggerate the “average” to $2,500+ even for one injector, but the real benchmark is closer to $1,000–$1,250 for one provider.

 

Per-Procedure vs Per-Provider Pricing Models

1. Per Procedure

• Outdated and less common
• $799–$1,250 per procedure type (Botox®, fillers, IV therapy)
• Becomes expensive if you offer multiple services

2. Per Provider

• More common
• $1,000–$1,250 per injector supervised
• Predictable and scales with your team

Important: Always clarify which model you’re signing.

 

Hidden Fees Most Medspa Owners Overlook

This is where costs balloon. Beyond the monthly fee, many companies tack on extras.

• Placement Fees: $1,000–$3,000 just to match you
• Document Prep Fees: $2,000–$5,000 for standing orders or MSO contracts
• Matching Fees: Charged each time you change MDs.
• Long Delays: 1–2 weeks just to start oversight.

The “MSO Premium”

One of the most common hidden charges is the MSO premium.

Most medspas need an MSO agreement to operate legally.

Many companies know this, so they charge a one-time prep fee ($3000–$7000) and then tack on an ongoing monthly MSO fee.

This adds thousands to your startup costs and hundreds more every month.

At Medical Director Co., we never charge an MSO premium. This saves you $3000–$7000 upfront and $200–$500/month in recurring costs.

 

Why Medical Director Co. Costs Less

We’ve redesigned how medical director oversight works.

• Direct to MDs: No middlemen or brokers.
• No Placement Fees: You only pay the monthly MD fee.
• No Matching Fees: Replacements are free.
• No Document Fees: MSO, standing orders, and compliance docs included.
• No MSO Premiums: Agreement is complimentary.
• 24-Hour Placement: Licensed MDs in all 50 states.

Whether you’re in Texas, California, North Carolina, Florida, or anywhere else, we can place you in one day without hidden costs.

 

Real-World Example

A medspa in New Jersey with one RN injector was quoted $3,000/month + $2,500 placement fee + $3,000 MSO drafting fee.

Startup cost: $8,500 before opening.

With Medical Director Co., you get:

• $1,250/month for one provider
• $0 placement fee
• $0 MSO prep fee (agreement included free)
• Placement in 24 hours

Month 1 savings: $7,250.

 

FAQs

How much does a medical director cost for one provider?

On average $1,000–$1,250/month.

What if I have multiple injectors?

Expect $1,000–$1,250 per additional provider supervised.

Do medical directors take equity in my business?

No. With an MSO structure, you keep 100% ownership.

Why do some companies cost twice as much?

They add placement fees, MSO premiums, and delays.

What’s included with Medical Director Co.?

• Free MSO agreement
• Free standing orders
• No fees beyond the monthly MD cost
• Nationwide placement within 24 hours

Takeaway

So, how much does a medical director cost for a medspa in 2025?

• Industry average: $1,000–$1,250/month per provider
• Additional providers: add $1,000–$1,250 each
• Advanced medspas: $4,500–$6,000/month

Most companies inflate rates and add placement fees, matching fees, document fees, and MSO premiums.

At Medical Director Co., we keep it simple.

• No placement fees
• No matching fees
• No MSO prep fees or monthly premiums
• Complimentary MSO agreement
• Direct-to-MD model
• Nationwide placement within 24 hours

That makes us the fastest and most affordable way to get compliant while keeping 100% ownership of your medspa.

Ready to secure your medical director? Contact us now and be placed within 24 hours.