Nail Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Nail technicians clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails. They groom cuticles and apply cream to hands and arms (feet and calves in the case of pedicures). They apply a variety of artificial nails and provide ongoing maintenance. Many nail technicians are skilled in "nail art" and decorate clients nails with stencils, glitter, and ornaments. Nail technicians may also call themselves manicurists, pedicurists, nail sculpturists, or nail artists. There are approximately 212,700 nai...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Income for nail technicians can vary widely, depending on the skill, experience, and clientele of the nail technician, the type and location of the shop or salon, the tipping habits of the clientele, and the area of the country. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the median annual income for nail technicians was $34,250 in May 2023. (This income includes tips.) Fifty percent of nail technicia...
Work Environment
Nail technicians work indoors in bright, well-ventilated, comfortable environments. Unlike most careers in the cosmetology industry that require operators to be on their feet most of the day, nail technicians perform their work seated at a table.
Many nail technicians work five-day weeks including Saturdays, which are a high-volume business day in this industry. Working some evenings may...
Outlook
The nail business (a multibillion dollar industry) has been growing rapidly for years. Nail salons and day spas offering nail services continue to crop up everywhere, and nail technicians represent the fastest-growing segment of the various specialized service providers in the beauty industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to g...