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Beauty Salons and Nail Studios
Ulta Beauty, Regis Corporation, SmartStyle
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists clean up nails, care for hands and feet, apply polish and nail enhancements, and turn simple appointments into detailed, client-specific services. The job mixes hands-on creativity with close customer service, but the tradeoff is plain: pay is modest and the work is repetitive, physical, and dependent on keeping a steady stream of appointments.
Also known as Nail TechnicianLicensed Nail TechnicianNail Care TechnicianNail SpecialistNail Artist
Median Salary
$34,660
Mean $36,910
U.S. Workforce
~148K
24.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+7%
210.1K to 224.8K
Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Manicurists and Pedicurists sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~148K workers, with a median annual pay of $34,660 and roughly 24.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 210.1 K in 2024 to 224.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Postsecondary nondegree award in nail technology, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Nail Salon Trainee and can progress toward Lead Technician or Salon Owner. High-value skills usually include Sanitation, Disinfection & Infection Control, Acrylic, Gel & Nail Extension Application, and Nail Shaping, Filing & Cuticle Care Tools, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Service Orientation, and Social Perceptiveness.
Core Responsibilities
- Talk with clients about the nail shape, color, and style they want before starting the service.
- Trim, file, buff, and polish fingernails and toenails.
- Soften hands and feet, remove dead skin, and finish with a hand or foot massage.
- Apply acrylic, gel, tip, or other nail extensions to create longer nails.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Talk with clients about the nail shape, color, and style they want before starting the service.
02 Trim, file, buff, and polish fingernails and toenails.
03 Soften hands and feet, remove dead skin, and finish with a hand or foot massage.
04 Apply acrylic, gel, tip, or other nail extensions to create longer nails.
05 Add nail art, decals, gems, or other decorations to customize the look.
06 Clean and disinfect tools and stations, and keep track of supplies and client records.
Industries That Hire
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Day Spas and Wellness Centers
Massage Envy, Hand & Stone, Woodhouse Spa
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Hotels and Resorts
Marriott, Hilton, Four Seasons
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Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line
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Entertainment and Fashion
Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field with a short postsecondary program; BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award and no prior work experience or on-the-job training.
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There are about 24.8K annual openings, so jobs keep showing up even though projected growth is only 7% through 2034.
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The work has immediate, visible results: clients leave with nails that look noticeably different the same day.
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You can build repeat business and move between salons, spas, hotels, and cruise ships instead of being locked into one setting.
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The job rewards creativity, especially if you like color choices, nail art, and detailed finishing work.
Challenges
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Pay is not especially high, with median annual earnings of $34,660 and mean pay of $36,910.
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Growth is only 7% over the 2024-2034 period, so the field is expanding, but not quickly.
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A lot of openings come from turnover rather than fast expansion, which means steady competition for the best client books and shifts.
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The work is hard on the body because it involves standing, bending, and doing fine hand movements all day.
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Income can be unstable in salon settings where earnings depend on tips, commissions, and how many clients show up, and the long-term ceiling is limited unless you move into ownership, teaching, or management.
Career Progression
Nail Salon Trainee
0-1 years
$24K-$29K
Learns shop routines, sanitation, and basic client service while helping experienced technicians and taking simpler appointments.
Manicurist and Pedicurist
1-4 years
$30K-$38K
Handles regular manicure and pedicure services, builds a client base, and earns the level of pay that matches the role's median salary.
Senior Nail Technician THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$39K-$49K
Takes on advanced nail art, extensions, and repeat clients who want the same detailed look every visit.
Lead Technician or Salon Owner
8+ years
$50K-$75K
May manage a book of loyal clients, train newer workers, or run a small salon where income depends on both services and business skills.
Education Paths
Postsecondary nondegree award in nail technology
The main route into the job, matching the 14.77% of workers with a post-secondary certificate.
Cosmetology or beauty school certificate with a nail focus
A close alternative for people who want broader salon training, even though the distribution only shows 14.77% in the post-secondary certificate group rather than a separate cosmetology category.
Some college courses plus a state nail technician license
A less common route; O*NET shows just 0.27% of workers with some college courses, so this is usually a fallback rather than the standard path.
State-approved nail technician or specialty beauty certification
A realistic alternative for workers who want a quicker, skills-first entry into the field, especially in states that require licensure.
Key Skills
Technical
Sanitation, Disinfection & Infection Control 58%
Acrylic, Gel & Nail Extension Application 55%
Nail Shaping, Filing & Cuticle Care Tools 52%
Nail Art Brushes, Dotting Tools & Embellishment Placement 49%
Pedicure Equipment, Callus Removal & Foot Care 47%
Square Appointments, Fresha & Salon Client Records 44%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingTime ManagementCoordination Job Outlook and Trends
+7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
24.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 210.1K to 224.8 K over the next decade, representing 7% growth. Around 24.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.