Manicurists and pedicurists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,920 | $13.90 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Mean (average) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| 90th percentile | $50,140 | $24.10 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Manicurists and pedicurists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 51 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,300 | $21,160 | $57,370 | 920 | 0.44 |
| Alaska | $47,890 | $28,020 | $59,620 | 180 | 0.57 |
| Arizona | $35,290 | $30,800 | $51,740 | 2,440 | 0.77 |
| Arkansas | $27,690 | $23,930 | $49,060 | 230 | 0.18 |
| California | $36,630 | $34,840 | $47,260 | 39,210 | 2.19 |
| Colorado | $37,110 | $32,030 | $64,590 | 3,970 | 1.41 |
| Connecticut | $34,720 | $34,010 | $44,860 | 4,490 | 2.69 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | $31,200 | $38,060 | 780 | 1.63 |
| District of Columbia | $36,620 | $36,400 | $50,620 | ||
| Florida | $37,840 | $28,730 | $59,940 | 4,470 | 0.46 |
| Georgia | $26,910 | $21,390 | $56,640 | 1,710 | 0.36 |
| Hawaii | $60,790 | $29,120 | $79,730 | 40 | 0.06 |
| Idaho | $34,910 | $25,150 | $51,440 | 160 | 0.19 |
| Illinois | $37,050 | $31,200 | $48,840 | 2,470 | 0.41 |
| Indiana | $36,140 | $21,580 | $46,740 | 510 | 0.16 |
| Iowa | $45,420 | $15,800 | $58,150 | 190 | 0.12 |
| Kansas | $30,930 | $21,320 | $44,820 | 1,510 | 1.07 |
| Kentucky | $45,310 | $31,480 | $65,430 | 240 | 0.12 |
| Louisiana | $28,170 | $18,190 | $45,860 | 2,210 | 1.16 |
| Maine | $48,540 | $36,800 | $81,490 | 200 | 0.31 |
| Maryland | $37,300 | $34,280 | $48,370 | 2,080 | 0.77 |
| Massachusetts | $35,470 | $33,510 | $46,210 | 4,660 | 1.3 |
| Michigan | $36,890 | $27,740 | $65,880 | 1,020 | 0.24 |
| Minnesota | $36,040 | $27,550 | $47,800 | 3,260 | 1.13 |
| Mississippi | $37,300 | $21,750 | $82,040 | 520 | 0.45 |
| Missouri | $39,100 | $28,600 | $55,240 | 1,630 | 0.57 |
| Montana | $33,660 | $26,690 | $43,880 | 110 | 0.22 |
| Nebraska | $56,940 | $29,070 | $100,610 | 310 | 0.31 |
| Nevada | $41,880 | $30,000 | $78,300 | 1,020 | 0.67 |
| New Hampshire | $35,100 | $29,410 | $56,900 | 490 | 0.73 |
| New Jersey | $36,370 | $32,220 | $39,390 | 11,520 | 2.74 |
| New Mexico | $25,720 | $25,720 | $52,950 | ||
| New York | $34,660 | $32,240 | $35,730 | 19,710 | 2.07 |
| North Carolina | $34,740 | $22,150 | $73,260 | 1,900 | 0.39 |
| North Dakota | $33,430 | $30,560 | $76,120 | 270 | 0.64 |
| Ohio | $35,590 | $26,650 | $53,260 | 3,680 | 0.67 |
| Oklahoma | $31,330 | $22,290 | $50,620 | 480 | 0.29 |
| Oregon | $46,080 | $35,230 | $77,420 | 2,210 | 1.14 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,990 | $20,520 | $43,890 | 9,610 | 1.61 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,900 | $21,840 | $23,180 | 190 | 0.21 |
| Rhode Island | $34,910 | $31,200 | $43,880 | ||
| South Carolina | $33,810 | $18,450 | $62,550 | 710 | 0.31 |
| South Dakota | $45,310 | $34,280 | $54,850 | 250 | 0.55 |
| Tennessee | $34,810 | $20,450 | $57,340 | 1,200 | 0.37 |
| Texas | $34,040 | $18,950 | $48,510 | 5,340 | 0.39 |
| Utah | $28,820 | $20,410 | $42,540 | 1,150 | 0.67 |
| Vermont | Data unavailable | 100 | 0.33 | ||
| Virginia | $36,630 | $29,370 | $59,430 | 4,230 | 1.05 |
| Washington | $49,900 | $38,660 | $63,430 | 5,570 | 1.6 |
| West Virginia | $38,260 | $27,470 | $48,670 | 120 | 0.17 |
| Wisconsin | $36,680 | $20,950 | $54,400 | 2,350 | 0.81 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for manicurists and pedicurists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 21,900. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 23.1%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for manicurists and pedicurists
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General CIP 12.0401
- Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist CIP 12.0410
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Aknaf ADVANTAGE Salon Software and Spa Software
- Appointment Search
- AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Scheduler
- Customer information databases
- DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
- DaySmart Software Salon Iris
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Time Management, Persuasion, Negotiation.
Common job titles: Manicurist, Nail Technician (Nail Tech), Pedicurist.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do manicurists and pedicurists make?
The national median annual wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $35,760 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $28,920 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $50,140. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do manicurists and pedicurists need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is manicurists and pedicurists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of manicurists and pedicurists to change +9.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 21,900 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay manicurists and pedicurists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($60,790), Nebraska ($56,940), Washington ($49,900). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.