What is a nail technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Kathy Grant
introduction image

Nail technicians are also referred to as Manicurists or Pedicurists. They normally provide different nail treatments depending on the preference of clients or customers. They usually work in spas and salons or even nail studios.

As a nail technician, you are to make sure that clients are satisfied so they will keep patronizing. Application of artificial nails, recommendation of diverse nail art to customers, sanitation of equipment before and after use are all part of your duty.

A high school diploma or GED is required to be a qualified candidate. Work experience as a nail technician is also needed as well as adequate knowledge of manicure and pedicure methods. You must possess excellent hand-eye coordination and have exceptional customer service skills. The annual average pay of a nail technician is around $22,000.

What general advice would you give to a Nail Technician?

Kathy GrantKathy Grant LinkedIn Profile

Instructor, Cosmetology, Guilford Technical Community College

Research salons and make sure that you pick one that is willing to help advance and improve on the skills you have acquired in school. Continuing education should be relevant to them. Don't be afraid to start as an assistant. Make sure the salon is a good fit for you financially. Some salons offer hourly pay while others offer commission or booth rent. And lastly, there are so many directions you can go in with your degree. You are not limited to working in a salon behind a chair.
ScoreNail TechnicianUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $30,503

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
1.7

Growth Rate 22%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 51.74%

Black or African American 2.41%

Hispanic or Latino 12.68%

Unknown 2.00%

White 30.86%

Gender

female 84.05%

male 15.95%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress Level
1.7

Stress level is low

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
3.0

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

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Nail Technician career paths

Key steps to become a nail technician

  1. Explore nail technician education requirements

    Most common nail technician degrees

    High School Diploma

    27.6 %

    Bachelor's

    26.6 %

    Associate

    24.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific nail technician skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Work Ethic13.79%
    Customer Service12.16%
    Cleanliness12.07%
    Cosmetology9.82%
    TIP6.43%
  3. Complete relevant nail technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nail technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a nail technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nail technician resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed nail technician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed nail technician in most of states. 43 states require nail technicians to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    AlabamaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredLicensed Cosmetologist
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredBoth state and third-party exams requiredCosmetologist
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCosmetologist
    ColoradoSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCosmetologist
    ConnecticutSpecific course requiredState exam requiredHairdresser/Cosmetician
  5. Gain additional nail technician certifications

    Nail technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific nail technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for nail technicians include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

    More About Certifications
  6. Research nail technician duties and responsibilities

    • Diagnose and repair pool/spa equipment including pumps, heaters, and electrical circuits -repair plumbing -test water quality for pools/spas
    • Apply facials and make up.
    • Apply top, bottom, and finishing coats.
    • Plumb pool and hot tub equipment using PVC.
  7. Prepare your nail technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your nail technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a nail technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Nail Technician Resume templates

    Build a professional Nail Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Nail Technician resume.
    Nail Technician Resume
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    Nail Technician Resume
  8. Apply for nail technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a nail technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Nail Technician Job

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Average nail technician salary

The average Nail Technician salary in the United States is $30,503 per year or $15 per hour. Nail technician salaries range between $17,000 and $53,000 per year.

Average Nail Technician Salary
$30,503 Yearly
$14.66 hourly

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Love taking something that can't be used and giving it life again...


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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