Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Manicurists and Pedicurists
SOC: 39-5092 O*NET: 39-5092.00
Median Salary
$34,660
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?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,910
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,510
25th percentile
Median
$34,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$37,660
75th percentile
Top Earners
$47,990
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,910
25th
$31,510
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$34,660
Mean: $36,910
75th
$37,660
90th
$47,990
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
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
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 Services98.6%
Personal Care Services98.2%
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 49 locations
California
37,730 jobs$35,0002.18x
New York
19,770 jobs$33,3902.16x
New Jersey
10,530 jobs$31,4702.58x
Pennsylvania
8,680 jobs$27,4801.50x
Washington
5,650 jobs$47,8401.67x
Massachusetts
5,400 jobs$34,1801.54x
Connecticut
4,420 jobs$32,6402.74x
Virginia
4,270 jobs$36,9701.10x
Florida
4,230 jobs$32,3700.45x
Texas
4,150 jobs$36,9000.31x
Colorado
3,910 jobs$37,8001.41x
Ohio
3,500 jobs$35,9000.66x
Minnesota
3,400 jobs$36,1401.22x
Arizona
2,710 jobs$34,8200.89x
Illinois
2,490 jobs$34,5200.43x
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
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Speaking
80%
#3
Service Orientation
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
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
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
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 TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology 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:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Schedule client appointments and accept payments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Advise clients on nail care and use of products and colors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Roughen surfaces of fingernails, using abrasive wheel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Promote and sell nail care products.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Polish nails, using powdered polish and buffer.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 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
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.84
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.78
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.71
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress 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 →