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Social Services

Manicurists and Pedicurists

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

Median salary (BLS)

$35,760

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$29k – $50k

Job outlook

+7% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Manicurists and Pedicurists

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$200–$1,150

Time to qualify

1.5 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    State license — supervised hours + exam

    License

    Most counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.

    $200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Manicurists and Pedicurists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Manicurists and Pedicurists

    Entry / Junior

    $28,920

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Manicurists and Pedicurists

    Established

    $35,760

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Manicurists and Pedicurists

    Senior

    $42,950

Key skills

A typical day

  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.