Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
What does a Manicurists and Pedicurists do?
How much can you earn?
National Salary Distribution
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,080 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,510 and $37,660
- •Salary spread is 17.7% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 147,820 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Current Employment
Top Industries
10-Year Outlook
Employment Projections
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Manicurists and Pedicurists professionals work across the United States
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
Skills Overview
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Social Perceptiveness
advancedCustomer and Personal Service
advancedNear Vision
advancedFinger Dexterity
intermediateSpeaking
intermediateArm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateOral Expression
intermediateService Orientation
intermediateManual Dexterity
basicActive Listening
basicSpeech Recognition
basicHighly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- →Service Orientation
- →Oral Expression
- →Manual Dexterity
Mid Career
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Near Vision
- ✓Finger Dexterity
Senior Level
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Near Vision
- ★Finger Dexterity
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Manicurists and Pedicurists
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
Key Digital Competencies:
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
🔴Schedule client appointments and accept payments.
🔴Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.
🔴Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
🔴Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
🔴Advise clients on nail care and use of products and colors.
🔴Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
🔴Roughen surfaces of fingernails, using abrasive wheel.
🔴Promote and sell nail care products.
🟡Polish nails, using powdered polish and buffer.
🟡💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Manicurists and Pedicurists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Manicurists and Pedicurists professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Manicurists and Pedicurists
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Preparation Level
Experience Needed
📚 Education Requirement
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Manicurists and Pedicurists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Manicurists and Pedicurists
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder
Boulder, CO
3.5k program completions/year
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1.9k program completions/year
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Everett, WA
994 program completions/year
Douglas J Aveda Institute
East Lansing, MI
832 program completions/year
Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup
New York, NY
786 program completions/year
Aveda Institute-South Florida
Davie, FL
746 program completions/year
Crescent City Bartending School
New Orleans, LA
590 program completions/year
Celebrity School of Beauty
Miami, FL
582 program completions/year
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NY
582 program completions/year
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NY
582 program completions/year
Aveda Institute-Tallahassee
Clearwater, FL
557 program completions/year
Asian-American International Beauty College
Westminster, CA
548 program completions/year