Personal Care & Service
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Also called: Manicurist, Nail Technician (Nail Tech), Pedicurist
US median pay
$35,760
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+9.2%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
21,900
201,800 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
What they do day to day
- Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
- Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
- Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
- Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
- Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles.
- Prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks.
- Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.
- Use rotary abrasive wheels to shape and smooth nails or artificial extensions.
- Schedule client appointments and accept payments.
- Assess the condition of clients' hands, remove dead skin, and massage hands.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Persuasion2.6/5
- Negotiation2.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.2/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- English Language2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.5/5
- Sales and Marketing2.4/5
- Production and Processing2.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma49%
- Less than high school36%
- Post-secondary certificate15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.