How To Become A Manicurist

A manicurist grooms nails and promotes nail and skin care products, you’ll have the opportunity to advise clients on the proper care of their hands. As a manicurist, you will need to possess good finger dexterity and creativity.

You will be using sharp tools in order to clean and polish a client’s nails so you need to have a steady hand. Otherwise, you could injure the customer. Doing nail art is an intricate process so creativity is also necessary. A good manicurist also needs to be a good listener and conversationalist to establish a steady relationship with their clients.

Why Become A Manicurist

Being a manicurist is a wonderful profession for those who truly have a passion for making clients’ hands, especially their fingernails, look and feel beautiful. It is a good choice for those who are planning to open their own nail and beauty salon someday. The pay isn’t lucrative but it provides a great opportunity and training ground if you can’t imagine doing anything else but run your own nail spa someday.

Manicurist Work Environment

Manicurists work in nail salons, hair salons and spas. While many of them work fulltime, their schedules depend on the kind of establishment they are connected with. If they are employed with a full-service salon, they may need to work fulltime. Boutique hair salons may require manicurists to work part-time. Those who own their mobile grooming service will need to be ready to go to the homes of their clients any time they are needed. Because most people are only available to have their nails done after work, manicurists often find themselves swamped with work on evenings or weekends.

Manicurist Salary

Manicurists focus on cleaning, polishing and trimming nails. They work in nail salons, beauty salons and spas. A career as a manicurist doesn’t provide lucrative pay but with training, experience and the entrepreneurial drive, manicurists have the opportunity to open their own nail salons which greatly increase their incomes and enable them to provide employment to others.

Although many manicurists work full-time and are employed by nail and beauty salons, manicurists may also work part-time to supplement another source of income.

Average Manicurist Annual Salary

$24,980

The average annual salary for manicurists is $24,980 a year. Salaries start at $19,480 a year and go up to $33,050 a year.

Average Manicurist Hourly Wage

$12.01

The average hourly wage for a manicurist is $12.01. Hourly wages are between $9.37 and $15.89 an hour.

Stats were based out of 104,020 employed manicurists in the United States.

Highest Paying States For Manicurists

1. Minnesota $17.59 / hr $36,580 / yr
2. New Hampshire $15.95 / hr $33,180 / yr
3. Arkansas $15.47 / hr $32,180 / yr
4. District of Columbia $15.11 / hr $31,430 / yr
5. Wisconsin $14.77 / hr $30,720 / yr

Top Paying Cities For Manicurists

1. Springfield, IL $23.07 / hr$47,980 / yr
2. Boise, ID $22.59 / hr$46,980 / yr
3. Boulder, CO $21.62 / hr$44,970 / yr
4. Deltona, FL $19.25 / hr$40,040 / yr
5. Bloomington, IL $18.19 / hr$37,830 / yr

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Manicurist Career Outlook

The employment prospects of manicurists and pedicurists are bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the employment growth rate for this profession is 16 percent from 2012 to 2022, a pace that is faster than the average for all job types. Because manicures and pedicures are considered an affordable luxury service, demand is expected from people of all levels of income.

Manicurist Degree

The minimum educational requirement for one to become a manicurist is a high school diploma or its equivalent. One must then enroll in cosmetology or nail technician program approved by the state, finish it and then hurdle a written and practical exam so they can be licensed by their state boards. Each state has different requirements for licensure but information on the requirements can be obtained from the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology.