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Nail technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$35,760median pay per year, or $17.19 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $28,920lowest 10% earn less
  2. $34,01025th percentile
  3. $35,760median
  4. $41,65075th percentile
  5. $50,140top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for manicurists and pedicurists, the BLS category for nail technicians, was $35,760 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+9.2%[2]
Openings per year
21,900[6]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[7]

How much do nail technicians make?

Nail Technician is a job title that workers in this BLS category report[8]. In May 2025, the median wage was $35,760 a year, or $17.19 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $38,570 a year, or $18.54 an hour[9]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year, so this job's median sits below it[5].

Here is how the wages are spread:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][10] $28,920 $13.90
25th[4][10] $34,010 $16.35
Median[1] $35,760 $17.19
75th[4][10] $41,650 $20.03
90th[4][10] $50,140 $24.10

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,920 a year[4]. A percentile is a boundary line, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[11].

These numbers cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, certain bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12]. In 2025, 23.1% of manicurists and pedicurists were self-employed, so a good share of the workforce is outside the wage data[13].

Pay by state and city

Hawaii had the highest state median at $60,790, but it had only 40 jobs[14]. Nebraska was next at $56,940 with 310 jobs, then Washington at $49,900 with 5,570 jobs[14]. The lowest median among the listed states was New Mexico at $25,720[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Portland-South Portland, ME had the highest median at $59,350[15]. Omaha, NE-IA followed at $58,620, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $50,800[15].

The most jobs are in California (39,210), New York (19,710) and New Jersey (11,520)[16]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had 24,390 jobs and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had 15,050[17].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Hawaii[14]$60,79040
Nebraska$56,940310
Washington$49,9005,570
Maine$48,540200
Alaska$47,890180
Oregon$46,0802,210
Iowa$45,420190
Kentucky$45,310240
South Dakota$45,310250
Nevada$41,8801,020
Missouri$39,1001,630
West Virginia$38,260120
Florida$37,8404,470
Maryland$37,3002,080
Mississippi$37,300520
Colorado$37,1103,970
Illinois$37,0502,470
Michigan$36,8901,020
Wisconsin$36,6802,350
California$36,63039,210
Virginia$36,6304,230
District of Columbia$36,620n/a
New Jersey$36,37011,520
Indiana$36,140510
Minnesota$36,0403,260
Ohio$35,5903,680
Massachusetts$35,4704,660
Arizona$35,2902,440
New Hampshire$35,100490
Idaho$34,910160
Rhode Island$34,910n/a
Tennessee$34,8101,200
North Carolina$34,7401,900
Connecticut$34,7204,490
New York$34,66019,710
Texas$34,0405,340
South Carolina$33,810710
Montana$33,660110
North Dakota$33,430270
Oklahoma$31,330480
Delaware$31,200780
Kansas$30,9301,510
Alabama$30,300920
Utah$28,8201,150
Louisiana$28,1702,210
Pennsylvania$27,9909,610
Arkansas$27,690230
Georgia$26,9101,710
New Mexico$25,720n/a

How to become a nail technician

BLS describes a path with two main steps[18]:

BLS lists no typical work experience or on-the-job training for entry[7]. O*NET puts the job in a zone where some jobs need little or no previous experience and others need several months to a year[22].

Workers who run their own salon also need business skills, such as accounting and managing staff[23].

What nail technicians do

Nail technicians clean and shape fingernails and toenails, and may polish or decorate them[24]. Tasks that O*NET lists as most important include[25]:

BLS names creativity, steady hands and finger dexterity as important qualities, along with listening and customer-service skills[26][27][28].

Where they work

Most of these workers are found in nail salons, spas or hair salons, and the job involves a lot of sitting[29]. Personal care services was the largest employer group, at 76%[30]. A small number make house calls[29]. Because the work uses chemicals, workers often wear protective clothing such as gloves and masks[31].

Most work full time, though part-time work is common[32]. Schedules vary and often include evenings and weekends, and some workers put in more than 40 hours a week[32]. Self-employed workers often set their own schedules[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of manicurists and pedicurists to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 201,800 to 220,400 jobs, a change of 18,600[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of 152,770 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[33].

BLS projects about 21,900 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings come from new jobs and from workers who leave, so they exceed growth alone[6]. Each year, 4.2% of workers leave the labor force and 5.3% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is below the median for all occupations[1][5]. Jobs are projected to grow faster than average[2][3]. Entry needs a state-approved program and a state exam, and requirements vary by state[18][20]. The work involves a lot of sitting, uses chemicals and often includes evening and weekend shifts[29][31][32]. It may suit people who enjoy detailed, hands-on work and talking with clients[26][27][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a nail technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $17.19 in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $13.90 and the 90th was $24.10[10].
Do you need a license to be a nail technician?
BLS says workers must complete a state-approved program and then pass a state exam for licensure[18]. Requirements vary by state[20].
Is nail technician a job in demand?
BLS projects 9.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. It also projects about 21,900 openings a year[6].
What is the highest paying state for nail technicians?
Hawaii had the highest median, at $60,790 a year, followed by Nebraska at $56,940[14]. Hawaii had only 40 jobs[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists in the US was $35,760 per year and $17.19 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Manicurists and Pedicurists is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 201,800 to 220,400 jobs (a change of +18,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Manicurists and Pedicurists: 10th percentile $28,920, 25th percentile $34,010, 75th percentile $41,650, 90th percentile $50,140. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 21,900 openings for Manicurists and Pedicurists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Manicurists and Pedicurists: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. O*NET 39-5092.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Manicurist, Nail Technician (Nail Tech), Pedicurist. O*NET OnLine
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists was $38,570 per year and $18.54 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Manicurists and Pedicurists: 10th percentile $13.90, 25th percentile $16.35, 75th percentile $20.03, 90th percentile $24.10. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 23.1% of Manicurists and Pedicurists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Portland-South Portland, ME $59,350; Omaha, NE-IA $58,620; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,800; Anchorage, AK $47,890; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $47,280; Kennewick-Richland, WA $46,840; Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $46,340; Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $46,050. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Manicurists and Pedicurists jobs: California 39,210; New York 19,710; New Jersey 11,520; Pennsylvania 9,610; Washington 5,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Manicurists and Pedicurists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 24,390 (median $34,910); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 15,050 (median $36,570); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 7,320 (median $31,200); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 4,750 (median $35,200); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 4,180 (median $36,670); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 4,040 (median $41,600). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 39-5092.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Manicurists and Pedicurists. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Manicurists and Pedicurists. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of manicurists and pedicurists in 2025: Personal care services 76%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 152,770 people were employed as Manicurists and Pedicurists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Manicurists and Pedicurists: 4.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.