How Much Does a Nail Tech Make?

Before becoming a nail technician, it is crucial to understand how much money you can anticipate earning, particularly in your first year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that the number of jobs for manicurists and pedicurists will grow by 16 percent between 2012 and 2022. This increase is quicker than the norm, making it a profitable investment.

With the sole criteria being completing a specialty state-approved cosmetology or nail technician school and passing the state licensing test, this is a professional option that many individuals may take advantage of. We’re not talking about crumbs here. We’re talking about a six-figure salary here. Growing a lucrative company and living very well is well within your grasp with a strategy and easy goal setting. Hold on tight, for here comes some math. Continue reading our guide to know how much does a nail tech make.

How Much Does a Nail Tech Make?

What Exactly Is Nail Tech?

A nail technician is sometimes known as a manicurist or pedicurist. Manual dexterity requires applying polish with a steady hand and holding and using sharp instruments on sensitive fingers and toes. Whether you work for a spa or salon or on your own, you must be able to provide excellent customer service by listening to clients’ wants and wishes and offering style guidance and healthy nail knowledge. Continue reading to discover more about a job as a nail technician.

Nail technicians on the National Average do manicures and pedicures at a salon, spa, specialized nail salon, in-home, or other settings. As a nail technician, you are responsible for nail care and beautification, such as shaping, buffing, shining, and placing false nails.

During manicures and pedicures, you will also request to massage the hands or feet. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS, the national median pay in 2012 was $9.24 per hour or $19,220 per year. However, salaries might vary from $8.02 to $14.42 per hour, depending on numerous conditions.

Service Provider Location

The location of services, which may be in a hair salon, a specialist nail salon, spas, medical facilities, luxury hotels, department shops, customers’ residences, and other venues, is one of the most important factors influencing a nail technician’s income.

According to survey data released in the Houston Chronicle’s work section, almost 95% of individuals work in personal-care services, with an hourly payment of $10.35. Working in more glamorous settings, such as a spa, will often result in a more significant salary since customers pay a higher price for manicures and pedicures.

Traveler lodging was the top-paying industry use business for nail technicians, with an hourly wage of $13.40. Amusement and leisure, which paid an average of $12.92 per hour, and department shops, which produced an average of $12.05 per hour, were two other sectors where nail technicians were paid more than average.

Geographical Area

The geographic location where you work significantly impacts your pay rate. This effect is caused directly by differences in the cost of living across the country, but other factors also play a role.

However, you might anticipate huge cities like Los Angeles and New York to be among the most paid, the highest-paid city for nail technicians in Columbia, South Carolina, with an average annual salary of more than $40,000 per year.

Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, and Nebraska had higher average pay rates than the rest of the nation.

Level of Experience and Specialty

As with any employment, your degree of expertise and specialized improving your skills will determine how much you may anticipate earning. You would most likely make at the bottom end of the pay range in your first year, which is roughly $9 per hour. Your compensation rate will rise as you acquire experience, mainly as you achieve 10 to twenty years of experience.

There are additional strategies to boost your earnings. With the popularity of nail art, the ability to produce unique and stunning masterpieces can help you generate more make money, regardless of your degree of expertise. Owning a salon, providing in-home nail treatments, and other comparable alternatives will improve your yearly pay.

Manicures and pedicures are popular purchases, which gives nail technicians some employment stability. Although an entry-level manicurist cannot expect to make much more than $9 per hour, there are opportunities to increase this compensation.

Nail Technician Job Growth

Nail technician employment will grow at a 13 percent annual pace through 2026, adding around 16,700 jobs. This rise is mainly the result of individuals adopting better lives via body care and grooming.

Nail care is typically seen as a low-cost alternative to other beauty procedures, implying that services will continue to be in high demand from individuals of all economic levels.

Those that can develop a large customer base should have the most need for their services.

Pathway to Becoming a Nail Technician

As with any other professional route, the more you invest in your future, the greater the potential benefits. You can save money and find investors to start your nail shop. Even though you may still need to do nails, as your business grows, you may be able to hire more manicurists and pedicurists so you can focus on running and growing the business.

Marketing, accounting, and human resource development skills are helpful for a salon owner. Large salons or beauty product wholesalers employ nail technicians with extra sales or management abilities. You might work as a sales representative for a big nail product distributor or as a franchisee managing a network of salons.

Conclusion

The amount of money you may anticipate making depends on your specializations, location, experience, and other aspects. In the United States, the average income for a Nail Technician is $31,287. A Nail Technician’s annual bonus is an average of $2,865, or 9% of their base salary.

All workers say they get a bonus each year. Nail Technicians earn the most in Washington, DC, with an average annual salary of $33,647, 8% more than the national average. The above guide is focused on how much does a nail tech make.