CFChooseField
Personal Care and Service

Manicurists and Pedicurists

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Manicurists and Pedicurists
Download graphic

Median pay

$34,660
Median annual pay for Manicurists and Pedicurists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

24,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

210,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Manicurists and Pedicurists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+14,700
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education needed to enter Manicurists and Pedicurists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Learning
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Critical Thinking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Personnel and Human Resources
  5. 5Sales and Marketing
  6. 6Production and Processing

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Finger Dexterity
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Social Orientation
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Empathy
  6. 6Optimism

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  4. 4Assisting and Caring for Others
  5. 5Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Exposed to Contaminants
  2. 2Physical Proximity
  3. 3Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Spend Time Sitting

Representative 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.
  • Use rotary abrasive wheels to shape and smooth nails or artificial extensions.

Software and tools

Facebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyAknaf ADVANTAGE Salon Software and Spa SoftwareAppointment SearchAppointmentQuest Online Appointment SchedulerCustomer information databasesDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusDaySmart Software Salon Iris

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.