Manicurists and Pedicurists Career, Salary and Skills
Manicurists and Pedicurists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $35,760 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 152,770. Wage data is published for 237 locations.
Occupation description
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
O*NET code
39-5092.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$35,760
Hourly median
$17.19
Employment
152,770
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$28,920
10th
$34,010
25th
$35,760
Median
$41,650
75th
$50,140
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Service Orientation | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Time Management | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Active Learning | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Coordination | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Monitoring | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Persuasion | 2.62 | 2.12 |
Typical tasks
- Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
- Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
- Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
- Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
- Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles.
- Prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks.
- Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.
- Schedule client appointments and accept payments.
Technology
- Aknaf ADVANTAGE Salon Software and Spa Software
- Appointment Search
- AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Scheduler
- Customer information databases
- DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
- DaySmart Software Salon Iris
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Manicurists and Pedicurists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in CAMedian $36,630 · Employment 39,210
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in New York, NYMedian $34,910 · Employment 24,390
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in NYMedian $34,660 · Employment 19,710
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $36,570 · Employment 15,050
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in NJMedian $36,370 · Employment 11,520
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in PAMedian $27,990 · Employment 9,610
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in Philadelphia, PAMedian $31,200 · Employment 7,320
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in WAMedian $49,900 · Employment 5,570
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in TXMedian $34,040 · Employment 5,340
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in Riverside, CAMedian $35,200 · Employment 4,750
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in MAMedian $35,470 · Employment 4,660
- Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in CTMedian $34,720 · Employment 4,490
Related careers
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- Etchers and EngraversNational median $43,310
- Dental Laboratory TechniciansNational median $49,610
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticNational median $46,170
- Cutters and Trimmers, HandNational median $38,020
- Painters, Construction and MaintenanceNational median $49,400
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNational median $34,890
- Shoe and Leather Workers and RepairersNational median $37,800
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.