Nail tech salary
BLS occupation: Manicurists and Pedicurists · Personal care and service · data for May 2025
Median salary $35,760 a year, US
Median hourly pay $17.19 an hour
Middle half earn $34,010–$41,650 25th to 75th percentile
Nail techs employed 152,770 +9.2% projected by 2035
How much does a nail tech make?
- The median nail tech salary in the US is $35,760 a year ($17.19 an hour): half of the 152,770 nail techs BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $38,570.
- The middle half earn between $34,010 and $41,650. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $28,920 and the top 10% more than $50,140.
- That is 30% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Hawaii pays nail techs the most (median $60,790), followed by Nebraska ($56,940) and Washington ($49,900). New Mexico pays the least ($25,720).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Nebraska, where the median is worth $63,194 in typical US prices, then Hawaii and Iowa. Hawaii's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 2 of the 185 metro areas with data, the median nail tech salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of nail techs to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 21,900 openings a year. The typical entry education is a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award).
official From BLS's survey of employers: what nail techs are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Nail tech salary range
Half of nail techs earn between $34,010 and $41,650 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $28,920
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $34,010
Median Yearly pay: $35,760
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $41,650
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $50,140
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $28,920 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $34,010 |
| Median | $35,760 |
| Top 25% earn over | $41,650 |
| Top 10% earn over | $50,140 |
Nail tech salary by state
Hawaii pays nail techs the most; New Mexico the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($35,760), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $60,790 median |
| Nebraska | $56,940 median |
| Washington | $49,900 median |
| Maine | $48,540 median |
| Alaska | $47,890 median |
| Oregon | $46,080 median |
| Iowa | $45,420 median |
| Kentucky | $45,310 median |
| South Dakota | $45,310 median |
| Nevada | $41,880 median |
| Missouri | $39,100 median |
| West Virginia | $38,260 median |
| Florida | $37,840 median |
| Maryland | $37,300 median |
| Mississippi | $37,300 median |
| Colorado | $37,110 median |
| Illinois | $37,050 median |
| Michigan | $36,890 median |
| Wisconsin | $36,680 median |
| California | $36,630 median |
| Virginia | $36,630 median |
| District of Columbia | $36,620 median |
| New Jersey | $36,370 median |
| Indiana | $36,140 median |
| Minnesota | $36,040 median |
| Ohio | $35,590 median |
| Massachusetts | $35,470 median |
| Arizona | $35,290 median |
| New Hampshire | $35,100 median |
| Idaho | $34,910 median |
| Rhode Island | $34,910 median |
| Tennessee | $34,810 median |
| North Carolina | $34,740 median |
| Connecticut | $34,720 median |
| New York | $34,660 median |
| Texas | $34,040 median |
| South Carolina | $33,810 median |
| Montana | $33,660 median |
| North Dakota | $33,430 median |
| Oklahoma | $31,330 median |
| Delaware | $31,200 median |
| Kansas | $30,930 median |
| Alabama | $30,300 median |
| Utah | $28,820 median |
| Louisiana | $28,170 median |
| Pennsylvania | $27,990 median |
| Arkansas | $27,690 median |
| Georgia | $26,910 median |
| New Mexico | $25,720 median |
Where nail tech pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Nail techs' pay goes furthest in Nebraska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $63,194 |
| Hawaii | $55,288 |
| Iowa | $51,754 |
| South Dakota | $51,148 |
| Kentucky | $50,256 |
| Maine | $50,015 |
| Alaska | $46,786 |
| Washington | $46,630 |
| Oregon | $44,582 |
| Missouri | $43,054 |
Nail tech pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $60,790 | $29.23 | $29,120 | $79,730 | 40 | $55,288 |
| Nebraska | $56,940 | $27.38 | $29,070 | $100,610 | 310 | $63,194 |
| Washington | $49,900 | $23.99 | $38,660 | $63,430 | 5,570 | $46,630 |
| Maine | $48,540 | $23.34 | $36,800 | $81,490 | 200 | $50,015 |
| Alaska | $47,890 | $23.02 | $28,020 | $59,620 | 180 | $46,786 |
| Oregon | $46,080 | $22.15 | $35,230 | $77,420 | 2,210 | $44,582 |
| Iowa | $45,420 | $21.84 | $15,800 | $58,150 | 190 | $51,754 |
| Kentucky | $45,310 | $21.78 | $31,480 | $65,430 | 240 | $50,256 |
| South Dakota | $45,310 | $21.78 | $34,280 | $54,850 | 250 | $51,148 |
| Nevada | $41,880 | $20.13 | $30,000 | $78,300 | 1,020 | $41,889 |
| Missouri | $39,100 | $18.80 | $28,600 | $55,240 | 1,630 | $43,054 |
| West Virginia | $38,260 | $18.39 | $27,470 | $48,670 | 120 | $42,750 |
| Florida | $37,840 | $18.19 | $28,730 | $59,940 | 4,470 | $36,591 |
| Maryland | $37,300 | $17.93 | $34,280 | $48,370 | 2,080 | $35,538 |
| Mississippi | $37,300 | $17.93 | $21,750 | $82,040 | 520 | $42,897 |
| Colorado | $37,110 | $17.84 | $32,030 | $64,590 | 3,970 | $36,011 |
| Illinois | $37,050 | $17.81 | $31,200 | $48,840 | 2,470 | $37,066 |
| Michigan | $36,890 | $17.74 | $27,740 | $65,880 | 1,020 | $38,340 |
| Wisconsin | $36,680 | $17.63 | $20,950 | $54,400 | 2,350 | $38,982 |
| California | $36,630 | $17.61 | $34,840 | $47,260 | 39,210 | $33,083 |
| Virginia | $36,630 | $17.61 | $29,370 | $59,430 | 4,230 | $36,230 |
| District of Columbia | $36,620 | $17.61 | $36,400 | $50,620 | – | $33,321 |
| New Jersey | $36,370 | $17.49 | $32,220 | $39,390 | 11,520 | $33,427 |
| Indiana | $36,140 | $17.38 | $21,580 | $46,740 | 510 | $38,723 |
| Minnesota | $36,040 | $17.33 | $27,550 | $47,800 | 3,260 | $36,544 |
| Ohio | $35,590 | $17.11 | $26,650 | $53,260 | 3,680 | $38,362 |
| Massachusetts | $35,470 | $17.05 | $33,510 | $46,210 | 4,660 | $33,539 |
| Arizona | $35,290 | $16.97 | $30,800 | $51,740 | 2,440 | $35,053 |
| New Hampshire | $35,100 | $16.88 | $29,410 | $56,900 | 490 | $33,697 |
| Idaho | $34,910 | $16.78 | $25,150 | $51,440 | 160 | $36,557 |
| Rhode Island | $34,910 | $16.78 | $31,200 | $43,880 | – | $34,132 |
| Tennessee | $34,810 | $16.74 | $20,450 | $57,340 | 1,200 | $37,890 |
| North Carolina | $34,740 | $16.70 | $22,150 | $73,260 | 1,900 | $36,830 |
| Connecticut | $34,720 | $16.69 | $34,010 | $44,860 | 4,490 | $33,510 |
| New York | $34,660 | $16.66 | $32,240 | $35,730 | 19,710 | $32,116 |
| Texas | $34,040 | $16.37 | $18,950 | $48,510 | 5,340 | $35,072 |
| South Carolina | $33,810 | $16.25 | $18,450 | $62,550 | 710 | $36,064 |
| Montana | $33,660 | $16.18 | $26,690 | $43,880 | 110 | $35,564 |
| North Dakota | $33,430 | $16.07 | $30,560 | $76,120 | 270 | $37,579 |
| Oklahoma | $31,330 | $15.06 | $22,290 | $50,620 | 480 | $35,666 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | $15.00 | $31,200 | $38,060 | 780 | $31,260 |
| Kansas | $30,930 | $14.87 | $21,320 | $44,820 | 1,510 | $34,341 |
| Alabama | $30,300 | $14.57 | $21,160 | $57,370 | 920 | $34,113 |
| Utah | $28,820 | $13.86 | $20,410 | $42,540 | 1,150 | $29,151 |
| Louisiana | $28,170 | $13.54 | $18,190 | $45,860 | 2,210 | $31,936 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,990 | $13.46 | $20,520 | $43,890 | 9,610 | $28,687 |
| Arkansas | $27,690 | $13.31 | $23,930 | $49,060 | 230 | $31,851 |
| Georgia | $26,910 | $12.94 | $21,390 | $56,640 | 1,710 | $27,946 |
| New Mexico | $25,720 | $12.37 | $25,720 | $52,950 | – | $27,892 |
BLS does not publish pay for nail techs in 2 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Nail tech salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes nail tech pay: 187 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Portland, ME $59,350
- Omaha, NE $58,620
- Seattle, WA $50,800
- Grand Forks, ND $49,290
- Fairbanks, AK $47,990
- Anchorage, AK $47,890
- Rapid City, SD $47,600
- Portland, OR $47,280
- Kennewick, WA $46,840
- Mount Vernon, WA $46,620
Where the pay goes furthest
- Omaha, NE $63,779
- Portland, ME $58,267
- Grand Forks, ND $56,875
- Rapid City, SD $53,387
- Rochester, MN $50,330
- Louisville, KY $49,788
- Sioux Falls, SD $49,398
- Mankato, MN $48,233
- Gulfport, MS $48,197
- Yakima, WA $47,444
All 187 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | $59,350 | 130 | $58,267 | 46% |
| Omaha, NE | $58,620 | 230 | $63,779 | 29% |
| Seattle, WA | $50,800 | 3,610 | $45,711 | 53% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $49,290 | 30 | $56,875 | 28% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $47,990 | 40 | $46,498 | 46% |
| Anchorage, AK | $47,890 | 120 | $45,428 | 47% |
| Rapid City, SD | $47,600 | 60 | $53,387 | 37% |
| Portland, OR | $47,280 | 2,190 | $44,849 | 46% |
| Kennewick, WA | $46,840 | 170 | $46,803 | 43% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $46,620 | 50 | $45,508 | 56% |
| Medford, OR | $46,390 | 70 | $45,735 | 48% |
| Louisville, KY | $46,340 | 130 | $49,788 | 35% |
| Spokane, WA | $46,050 | 280 | $45,891 | 39% |
| Rochester, MN | $45,710 | 140 | $50,330 | 42% |
| Yakima, WA | $45,330 | 70 | $47,444 | 36% |
| Bend, OR | $45,130 | 100 | $43,559 | 59% |
| Salem, OR | $44,850 | 160 | $43,271 | 44% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $44,770 | 140 | $49,398 | 34% |
| Mankato, MN | $43,870 | 80 | $48,233 | 34% |
| Reno, NV | $43,530 | 100 | $43,093 | 57% |
| Gulfport, MS | $43,380 | 110 | $48,197 | 39% |
| San Jose, CA | $43,070 | 2,180 | $39,005 | 106% |
| Washington, DC | $42,040 | 3,400 | $38,610 | 69% |
| Pueblo, CO | $41,600 | 30 | $45,335 | 38% |
| San Francisco, CA | $41,600 | 4,040 | $35,982 | 99% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $41,440 | 30 | $47,288 | 38% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $40,990 | 40 | $40,776 | 54% |
| St. Louis, MO | $40,840 | 580 | $42,950 | 42% |
| Bloomington, IL | $40,830 | 50 | $43,651 | 38% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $40,010 | 900 | $39,924 | 52% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $39,690 | 90 | $42,771 | 35% |
| Madison, WI | $39,020 | 190 | $40,108 | 55% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $38,940 | 40 | $41,419 | 41% |
| Naples, FL | $38,860 | 120 | $37,655 | 81% |
| Kenosha, WI | $38,760 | 100 | $38,331 | – |
| Racine, WI | $38,660 | 90 | $40,287 | 45% |
| Canton, OH | $38,540 | 140 | $43,107 | 36% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $38,530 | 180 | $37,646 | 57% |
| Napa, CA | $38,500 | 140 | $34,206 | 91% |
| Davenport, IA | $38,480 | 40 | $43,198 | 31% |
| North Port, FL | $38,400 | 210 | $37,494 | 66% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $38,390 | 590 | $38,589 | 53% |
| Tampa, FL | $38,330 | 500 | $37,992 | 62% |
| Chicago, IL | $38,100 | 2,090 | $36,778 | 68% |
| Springfield, MO | $38,060 | 140 | $42,964 | 39% |
| Boulder, CO | $38,000 | 230 | $36,121 | 69% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $37,870 | 390 | $35,135 | 84% |
| Austin, TX | $37,740 | 900 | $38,484 | 51% |
| Miami, FL | $37,690 | 1,290 | $33,017 | 84% |
| Columbus, OH | $37,670 | 480 | $39,458 | 49% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $37,600 | 100 | $37,514 | 74% |
| Baltimore, MD | $37,590 | 720 | $35,976 | 62% |
| Sebastian, FL | $37,540 | 60 | $38,186 | 68% |
| Pensacola, FL | $37,480 | 80 | $38,356 | 56% |
| Orlando, FL | $37,450 | 590 | $36,926 | 62% |
| Denver, CO | $37,390 | 2,700 | $35,346 | 61% |
| Youngstown, OH | $37,100 | 100 | $42,451 | 34% |
| Lakeland, FL | $36,960 | 120 | $38,048 | 59% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $36,870 | 140 | $38,589 | 53% |
| Joplin, MO | $36,860 | 30 | $43,001 | 40% |
| Detroit, MI | $36,810 | 490 | $36,701 | 49% |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,810 | 460 | $33,933 | 80% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $36,790 | 180 | $36,380 | 64% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $36,770 | 70 | $38,749 | 55% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $36,750 | 160 | $33,841 | 91% |
| Appleton, WI | $36,720 | 90 | $39,732 | 39% |
| Akron, OH | $36,700 | 190 | $39,306 | 43% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,670 | 480 | $36,413 | 58% |
| San Diego, CA | $36,670 | 4,180 | $32,774 | 97% |
| Salinas, CA | $36,630 | 250 | $33,593 | 91% |
| Richmond, VA | $36,610 | 740 | $37,411 | 56% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $36,570 | 15,050 | $32,202 | 96% |
| Greeley, CO | $36,460 | 150 | $36,396 | 55% |
| Green Bay, WI | $36,440 | 100 | $39,147 | 37% |
| Raleigh, NC | $36,310 | 270 | $36,992 | 55% |
| Lansing, MI | $36,300 | 50 | $38,214 | 43% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $36,230 | 230 | $33,300 | 109% |
| Kansas City, MO | $36,180 | 1,570 | $39,095 | 51% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $36,170 | 1,140 | $37,313 | 51% |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,130 | 720 | $32,687 | 98% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $35,990 | 60 | $35,676 | 64% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $35,920 | 2,680 | $34,268 | 58% |
| Manchester, NH | $35,900 | 190 | $33,978 | 72% |
| Ocala, FL | $35,870 | 40 | $37,665 | 53% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $35,800 | 110 | $36,108 | 68% |
| Deltona, FL | $35,780 | 110 | $36,008 | 59% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $35,770 | 30 | $39,032 | 38% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $35,770 | 790 | $36,522 | 63% |
| Stockton, CA | $35,760 | 660 | $34,028 | 82% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $35,750 | 40 | $37,444 | 58% |
| Dayton, OH | $35,600 | 390 | $38,406 | 44% |
| Merced, CA | $35,600 | 120 | $36,225 | 69% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $35,590 | 80 | $37,793 | 54% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $35,570 | 40 | $38,424 | 43% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $35,520 | 1,790 | $34,380 | 58% |
| Springfield, MA | $35,500 | 100 | $36,956 | 66% |
| Boston, MA | $35,480 | 3,780 | $32,771 | 101% |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,430 | 850 | $37,722 | 49% |
| Redding, CA | $35,370 | 100 | $35,130 | 56% |
| Topeka, KS | $35,370 | 60 | $39,822 | 42% |
| Janesville, WI | $35,340 | 50 | $37,715 | 44% |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,340 | 3,130 | $33,130 | 77% |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,340 | 30 | $39,583 | 62% |
| Evansville, IN | $35,320 | 40 | $38,589 | 37% |
| Hanford, CA | $35,290 | 80 | $34,730 | 66% |
| Winchester, VA | $35,240 | 60 | $36,537 | 62% |
| Riverside, CA | $35,200 | 4,750 | $33,070 | 86% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $35,150 | 1,050 | $36,856 | 52% |
| Visalia, CA | $35,120 | 210 | $35,182 | 59% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $35,100 | 450 | $34,792 | 62% |
| Barnstable, MA | $35,100 | 110 | $35,689 | 88% |
| El Centro, CA | $35,090 | 40 | $36,869 | 62% |
| Fresno, CA | $35,080 | 800 | $34,339 | 70% |
| Houston, TX | $35,080 | 1,490 | $35,568 | 56% |
| Montgomery, AL | $35,060 | 80 | $39,094 | 47% |
| Traverse City, MI | $34,990 | 30 | $37,474 | 64% |
| Charlotte, NC | $34,950 | 900 | $35,902 | 60% |
| Knoxville, TN | $34,950 | 220 | $37,756 | 59% |
| New York, NY | $34,910 | 24,390 | $31,014 | 122% |
| Providence, RI | $34,910 | – | $34,302 | 74% |
| Dothan, AL | $34,890 | 40 | $41,618 | 42% |
| Modesto, CA | $34,890 | 390 | $33,513 | 71% |
| Charleston, SC | $34,850 | 170 | $34,518 | 70% |
| Asheville, NC | $34,780 | 60 | $36,039 | 59% |
| Trenton, NJ | $34,780 | 380 | $33,708 | 87% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $34,770 | 1,600 | $32,537 | 99% |
| New Haven, CT | $34,760 | 650 | $33,244 | 71% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $34,740 | 580 | $31,749 | 78% |
| Worcester, MA | $34,680 | 380 | $33,827 | 73% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $34,670 | 70 | $35,371 | 68% |
| Kingston, NY | $34,500 | 80 | $34,257 | 70% |
| Hartford, CT | $34,480 | 1,330 | $33,558 | 70% |
| Waterbury, CT | $34,320 | 510 | $34,396 | – |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,240 | 40 | $37,648 | 47% |
| Norwich, CT | $34,010 | 250 | $33,859 | 74% |
| Greenville, SC | $33,920 | 110 | $36,371 | 55% |
| Dallas, TX | $33,800 | 1,500 | $32,787 | 59% |
| Johnson City, TN | $33,690 | 30 | $38,315 | 53% |
| Hickory, NC | $33,530 | 90 | $37,893 | 57% |
| Syracuse, NY | $33,530 | 440 | $35,021 | 58% |
| Greenville, NC | $33,520 | 50 | $37,918 | 52% |
| Vineland, NJ | $33,450 | 130 | $34,855 | 59% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $33,440 | 520 | $33,827 | 74% |
| Rochester, NY | $32,760 | 540 | $33,761 | 56% |
| Memphis, TN | $32,280 | 360 | $35,019 | 52% |
| Albany, NY | $32,240 | 610 | $32,381 | 63% |
| Binghamton, NY | $32,240 | 120 | $34,718 | 60% |
| Buffalo, NY | $32,240 | 700 | $33,638 | 54% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $32,010 | 40 | $34,018 | 58% |
| Tulsa, OK | $31,550 | 210 | $35,364 | 52% |
| San Antonio, TX | $31,250 | 420 | $32,993 | 54% |
| Dover, DE | $31,200 | 70 | $31,998 | 68% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $31,200 | 7,320 | $30,423 | 73% |
| Springfield, IL | $31,200 | 40 | $33,641 | 46% |
| Minot, ND | $31,130 | 30 | $35,770 | 48% |
| Florence, SC | $31,100 | 40 | $35,840 | 58% |
| Columbus, GA | $30,920 | 40 | $34,626 | 53% |
| Tucson, AZ | $30,870 | 500 | $31,859 | 58% |
| Wichita, KS | $30,750 | 460 | $34,572 | 47% |
| Manhattan, KS | $30,260 | 60 | $33,562 | 50% |
| Allentown, PA | $30,050 | 620 | $30,060 | 74% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $29,490 | 630 | $29,236 | 67% |
| Daphne, AL | $29,440 | 90 | $31,091 | 69% |
| Lancaster, PA | $29,370 | 340 | $29,891 | 64% |
| Mobile, AL | $29,370 | 170 | $33,338 | 52% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $29,360 | 570 | $29,762 | 61% |
| York, PA | $29,180 | 330 | $30,396 | 57% |
| Reading, PA | $28,820 | 230 | $29,693 | 65% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $28,790 | 1,670 | $30,411 | 61% |
| Scranton, PA | $28,700 | 240 | $30,677 | 57% |
| New Orleans, LA | $28,680 | 750 | $30,973 | 66% |
| Toledo, OH | $28,660 | 220 | $31,338 | 53% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $28,620 | 530 | $31,527 | 57% |
| Lawrence, KS | $28,470 | 110 | $31,548 | 66% |
| El Paso, TX | $28,350 | 80 | $31,531 | 64% |
| Altoona, PA | $28,200 | 80 | $31,506 | 43% |
| Provo, UT | $28,190 | 210 | $28,697 | 75% |
| Erie, PA | $28,100 | 130 | $30,896 | 48% |
| State College, PA | $28,100 | 60 | $29,040 | 83% |
| Little Rock, AR | $27,590 | 60 | $30,874 | 54% |
| Atlanta, GA | $27,190 | 1,110 | $27,174 | 81% |
| Shreveport, LA | $26,840 | 110 | $31,664 | 57% |
| Lafayette, LA | $26,830 | 110 | $30,765 | 62% |
| Alexandria, LA | $26,540 | 160 | $30,974 | 47% |
| Monroe, LA | $26,330 | 120 | $31,496 | 54% |
| Augusta, GA | $25,670 | 100 | $27,932 | 68% |
| Ogden, UT | $21,620 | 160 | $21,545 | 91% |
What the median nail tech salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $35,760 |
| Month | $2,980 |
| Every two weeks | $1,375 |
| Week | $688 |
| Hour | $17.19 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a nail tech: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +9.2% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 21,900 |
| Self-employed | 23.1% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Hairstylist | $35,790 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Childcare worker | $34,980 | High school diploma |
| Esthetician | $45,330 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Personal trainer | $47,160 | High school diploma |
| Embalmer | $58,780 | Associate's degree |
| Funeral director | $55,010 | Associate's degree |
Questions about nail tech pay
How much does a nail tech make an hour?
The median is $17.19 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $13.90 and the top 10% over $24.10.
How much does a nail tech make a month?
About $2,980 a month before taxes at the median salary of $35,760, or $1,375 every two weeks.
What state pays nail techs the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $60,790. Nebraska ($56,940), Washington ($49,900), Maine ($48,540) and Alaska ($47,890) follow.
Where do nail techs make the most after cost of living?
Nebraska: its median of $56,940 is worth $63,194 at typical US prices. Hawaii, Iowa and South Dakota come next.
How much do entry-level nail techs make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of nail techs earn under $28,920 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $34,010, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a nail tech?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award). Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 39-5092 (Manicurists and Pedicurists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.