How Much Does a Nail Tech Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$35,760
Nail techs in the U.S. earn a median of $35,760 a year, or $17.19 an hour. Half of nail techs earn more than $35,760 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $50,140.
Pay percentiles for nail techs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.90 | $28,920 |
| 25th | $16.35 | $34,010 |
| 50th (median) | $17.19 | $35,760 |
| 75th | $20.03 | $41,650 |
| 90th | $24.10 | $50,140 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Manicurists and Pedicurists (SOC 39-5092). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for nail techs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $60,790 | $29.23 | +70% |
| Nebraska | $56,940 | $27.37 | +59% |
| Washington | $49,900 | $23.99 | +40% |
| Maine | $48,540 | $23.34 | +36% |
| Alaska | $47,890 | $23.02 | +34% |
| Oregon | $46,080 | $22.16 | +29% |
| Iowa | $45,420 | $21.84 | +27% |
| Kentucky | $45,310 | $21.79 | +27% |
| South Dakota | $45,310 | $21.79 | +27% |
| Nevada | $41,880 | $20.14 | +17% |
| United States | $35,760 | $17.19 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many nail techs are there?
BLS counts about 152,770 nail techs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Manicurists and Pedicurists”. The most jobs are in California (39,210), New York (19,710) and New Jersey (11,520).
The mean (average) annual wage is $38,570, higher than the median of $35,760.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,980
- Biweekly
- $1,375
- Weekly
- $688
- Daily (8 hours)
- $138
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nail techs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for nail techs is $17.19. The middle 50% earn between $16.35 and $20.03 an hour.
Which state pays nail techs the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for nail techs at $60,790, +70% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for nail techs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of nail techs earn less than $28,920 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.