Manicurists and Pedicurists

SOC: 39-5092 O*NET: 39-5092.00
Median Salary
$35,760
per year
Job Growth
📈 7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
24.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.

What does a Manicurists and Pedicurists do?

Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$28,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,010
25th percentile
Median
$35,760
50th percentile
Experienced
$41,650
75th percentile
Top Earners
$50,140
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$28,920
25th
$34,010
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,760
Mean: $38,570
75th
$41,650
90th
$50,140
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $21,220 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $34,010 and $41,650
  • •Salary spread is 21.4% around the median, showing low variation
  • •Total national employment: 152,770 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:210,100

Top Industries

Other Services (except Public Administration)98.7%
Personal and Laundry Services98.7%
Personal Care Services98.5%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+7%
Annual Openings:24,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)210,100
Current
2034 (Projected)224,800
+7%
+14,700
Employment Change
+7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Manicurists and Pedicurists professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
39,210 jobs$36,6302.19x
New York
19,710 jobs$34,6602.07x
New Jersey
11,520 jobs$36,3702.74x
Pennsylvania
9,610 jobs$27,9901.61x
Washington
5,570 jobs$49,9001.60x
Texas
5,340 jobs$34,0400.39x
Massachusetts
4,660 jobs$35,4701.30x
Connecticut
4,490 jobs$34,7202.69x
Florida
4,470 jobs$37,8400.46x
Virginia
4,230 jobs$36,6301.05x
Colorado
3,970 jobs$37,1101.41x
Ohio
3,680 jobs$35,5900.67x
Minnesota
3,260 jobs$36,0401.13x
Illinois
2,470 jobs$37,0500.41x
Arizona
2,440 jobs$35,2900.77x

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 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • •Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Finger Dexterity
88%
#5
Speaking
80%
#6
Arm-Hand Steadiness
76%
#7
Oral Expression
64%
#8
Service Orientation
60%
#9
Manual Dexterity
52%
#10
Active Listening
40%

Skills Overview

Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Finger Dexterity
intermediate4.4
88%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate3.8
76%
Oral Expression
intermediate3.2
64%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%

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.

Filter:
Sort by:

Social Perceptiveness

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Customer and Personal Service

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Near Vision

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Finger Dexterity

intermediate
Importance88%
abilities
4.4/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Arm-Hand Steadiness

intermediate
Importance76%
abilities
3.8/5.0

Oral Expression

intermediate
Importance64%
abilities
3.2/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Manual Dexterity

basic
Importance52%
abilities
2.6/5.0

Active Listening

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Speech Recognition

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Amusement and Recreation Attendants100%
4 shared skills
Cashiers100%
4 shared skills
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop100%
4 shared skills
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants100%
4 shared skills
Orderlies100%
4 shared skills
Parking Attendants100%
4 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Social Perceptiveness
  • ✓Speaking
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
  • →Service Orientation
  • →Oral Expression
  • →Manual Dexterity

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Social Perceptiveness
  • ✓Speaking
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
  • ✓Near Vision
  • ✓Finger Dexterity

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★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

Technology Intensity
Medium

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires intermediate digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Facebook

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Facebook

📚 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?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡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

18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1

Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Schedule client appointments and accept payments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Advise clients on nail care and use of products and colors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Roughen surfaces of fingernails, using abrasive wheel.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Promote and sell nail care products.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Polish nails, using powdered polish and buffer.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 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

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

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

RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Manicurists and Pedicurists

Adaptability/Flexibility

Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level3.84

Attention to Detail

Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level3.78

Self-Control

Important

Self-Control

Importance Level3.71

Stress Tolerance

Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level3.64

Complete Work Styles Profile

Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Attention to Detail
3.8
Self-Control
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.6

💡 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

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

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
2

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.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Manicurists and Pedicurists.

Browse Training Programs →

The Apprenticeship Route: Earn While You Learn

You don't necessarily need to pay for school to enter this field. There are 174 registered apprenticeship sponsors for this occupation in the U.S. DOL system. Apprentices earn a wage from day one, typically starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate, and finish with no tuition debt.

Most sponsors: VA (127) , CO (8) , IN (8) , MT (8) , AZ (6)

How apprenticeships work →Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov)

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