Personal care and service
Manicurists and pedicurists
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Median pay
$35,760
Growth to 2035
+9%
faster than average
Openings a year
21,900
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Manicurists and pedicurists
$35,76010% earn under $28,920 · middle half $34,010–$41,650 · top 10% over $50,140
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Manicurists and pedicurists
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time sitting
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Hazardous conditions
Rarely
Constantly
Exposure to disease
Rarely
Constantly
Manicurists and pedicurists: 32% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Manicurist · Nail Technician (Nail Tech) · Pedicurist
Outlook and AI
Manicurists and pedicurists held 201,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 220,400 by 2035 (+9%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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