Manicurist

Explore This Path

Perfect for those who love creativity and personal expression through nail art.
Enhance clients' confidence and well-being with beautifully manicured nails.
Explore endless design possibilities and stay on top of beauty trends.

💰 Earn $34K-$36K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 11.8% JOB GROWTH

Find Training

What You’ll Do

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

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Vocational Training

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

27,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$34,570 in California

$34,250 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Manicurist? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@slayedbykayllc

@nails.by.iz_

@slayedbykayllc

@salarytransparentstreet

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Relating with or serving others
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Manicurist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years