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
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$200–$1,150
Time to qualify
1.5 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected 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
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
State license — supervised hours + exam
LicenseMost 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
Junior Manicurists and Pedicurists
Entry / Junior
$28,920
~2 yrs to advance
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Established
$35,760
~3 yrs to advance
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
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.