What They Do
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
Manicurists and pedicurists held about 210,100 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of manicurists and pedicurists were as follows:
| Personal care services | 71% |
| Self-employed workers | 28 |
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 One
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 $16.66 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 24,800 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.