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Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hBz4pu6Mwc.
Quick Facts: Manicurists and Pedicurists
2023 Median Pay $34,250 per year
$16.47 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 212,700
Job Outlook, 2023-33 12% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 25,100

What Manicurists and Pedicurists Do

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.

Work Environment

Manicurists and pedicurists usually work in a nail salon, spa, or hair salon. Most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.

How to Become a Manicurist or Pedicurist

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or nail technician program and then pass a state exam for licensure.

Pay

The median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $16.47 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 27,700 openings for manicurists and pedicurists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for manicurists and pedicurists.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of manicurists and pedicurists with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about manicurists and pedicurists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Manicurists and Pedicurists Do About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists polish or buff nails.

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.

Duties

Manicurists and pedicurists typically do the following:

  • Discuss nail treatments and services available
  • Remove clients' nail polish, if any
  • Clean, trim, and file nails
  • Soften calluses and remove rough skin
  • Massage and moisturize hands (for a manicure) and feet (for a pedicure)
  • Polish or buff nails
  • Apply or remove artificial nails and nail art
  • Advise clients about nail and skin care for hands and feet
  • Clean and disinfect their work area and tools

Manicurists and pedicurists, sometimes called nail technicians, work exclusively on the hands and feet to groom fingernails and toenails. A typical service involves soaking the clients’ hands or feet to soften the skin in order to remove dead skin cells and artificial nails. Manicurists and pedicurists apply lotion to the hands and feet to moisturize the skin. They also may shape and apply polish to natural fingernails or toenails or apply and decorate artificial fingernails.

Manicurists and pedicurists use equipment that includes nail clippers, nail files, and cuticle tools. They must be focused while they perform their duties, because most of the tools they use are sharp. They keep their tools clean and sanitary and follow health regulations to protect consumer safety.

Some manicurists and pedicurists operate their own nail salon, which requires performing business tasks such as keeping inventory and ordering supplies. They also hire and supervise workers and may sell nail care products, such as nail polish and hand or foot cream.

Work Environment About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists work in spas or nail salons, and often sit for long periods.

Manicurists and pedicurists held about 212,700 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of manicurists and pedicurists were as follows:

Personal care services 67%
Self-employed workers 32

Manicurists and pedicurists usually work in a nail salon, spa, or hair salon. The job involves a lot of sitting. A small number of manicurists and pedicurists make house calls, traveling to their clients' locations to provide mobile services. However, mobile services may not be widely available.

Manicurists and pedicurists use chemicals when working on fingernails and toenails, so they often wear protective clothing such as gloves and masks.

Work Schedules

Most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, although part-time work is common. Schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends. Some manicurists and pedicurists work more than 40 hours per week. Self-employed workers often set their own schedules.

How to Become a Manicurist or Pedicurist About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists must pass a state-approved cosmetology program before licensure.

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or nail technician program and then pass a state exam for licensure.

Education

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or nail technician program. These programs usually involve classroom and hands-on training. For a list of approved programs, contact your state licensing agency.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

State licensing requirements vary but usually include completing a state-approved cosmetology or nail technician program and passing a state exam. Applicants also may need to be at least 16 or 18 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Check with your state licensing agency for details.

Under state reciprocity agreements, licensed manicurists and pedicurists may be able to get a license in another state without needing to complete an additional program or to pass that state's exam.

Important Qualities

Business skills. Manicurists and pedicurist who run their own nail salon must understand business principles. For example, they should be skilled at administrative tasks, such as accounting, and be able to manage a salon and its personnel efficiently and profitably.

Creativity. Manicurists and pedicurists must be able to neatly finish small, intricate nail designs, as well as to suggest designs and match them to individual tastes. 

Customer-service skills. Manicurists and pedicurists must have good listening and interpersonal skills to meet clients' needs. Interacting with clients while doing a manicure or pedicure encourages repeat business.

Dexterity. A steady hand is essential in achieving precise nail design. In addition, because manicurists and pedicurists often use sharp tools, they must have good finger dexterity.

Pay About this section

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Median hourly wages, May 2023

Total, all occupations

$23.11

Personal appearance workers

$16.79

Manicurists and pedicurists

$16.47

 

The median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $16.47 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.11, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.11.

In May 2023, the median hourly wages for manicurists and pedicurists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Personal care services $16.47

Most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, although part-time work is common. Schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends. Some manicurists and pedicurists work more than 40 hours per week. Self-employed workers often set their own schedules.

Job Outlook About this section

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Manicurists and pedicurists

12%

Personal appearance workers

8%

Total, all occupations

4%

 

Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 27,700 openings for manicurists and pedicurists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The projected increase in employment reflects demand for nail services, such as mini-sessions (quick manicures at a low cost) and mobile manicures and pedicures (nail services offered outside of the salon).

The desire among many women and a growing number of men to lead a healthier lifestyle through better grooming and wellness is expected to result in higher employment for manicurists and pedicurists.

Considered a low-cost luxury service, manicures and pedicures will continue to be in demand by individuals at all income levels.

Employment projections data for manicurists and pedicurists, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Manicurists and pedicurists

39-5092 212,700 237,800 12 25,100 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of manicurists and pedicurists.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.

Postsecondary nondegree award $35,080
Skin care specialists Skincare Specialists

Skincare specialists provide cleansing and other face and body treatments to enhance a person’s appearance.

Postsecondary nondegree award $43,200
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Manicurists and Pedicurists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/manicurists-and-pedicurists.htm (visited October 24, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.