Pedicure Cost: Current Prices & Fees

A pedicure is a foot and toenail service, and it takes longer than a manicure. The foot soak, exfoliation, and massage add time, which is why most menus price a pedicure above a manicure. Salons also stack tiers on top of the basic service, so the name on the menu says little until you read what each tier includes.

This page covers what a pedicure costs by type, the add-ons that raise the bill, and how to read local salon menus. If you are searching for pedicure prices near you, the best check is the salon's own online menu, since prices differ from one location to the next.

The three common tiers differ in what is done and in the products used.

• Basic pedicure. A soak, nail shaping, light exfoliation, and regular polish. Some salons keep it quick, and others add a short massage.
• Gel pedicure. Gel polish replaces regular polish and is cured under a lamp. It costs more than the basic service.
• Deluxe or spa pedicure. Scrubs, masks, paraffin, hot stones, or a longer massage. This tier carries the widest price range.

If a menu lists only one pedicure, ask what it includes. A low price may leave out steps that another salon includes as standard.

National figures hide how much the same service varies between salons. These examples are published prices from individual salon menus, not averages:

ThePricer reports the classic pedicure as a starting price, so the final total may be higher. The Santa Monica location in the example lists a higher price for the gel version than for the essential one. The same company can charge different amounts at other locations, so a menu from one city is only a reference for another.

To find your local price, look up two or three salons in your area, compare their pedicure tiers line by line, and call if the online menu is unclear.

Extras can add up quickly, because each treatment is billed on its own.

Paraffin is a warm wax treatment that some salons offer as a deluxe option. If you choose a gel pedicure, ask about the cost to remove old polish before the service begins. Some salons include it and others do not.

Booking both at once does not always cut the price. Many salons add the two menu prices together and then add extras and tip.

Ask whether the salon has a package price for the pair. A package that bundles regular polish for both services can come in under the sum of the two separate prices, but a package that includes gel for both may not.

Each source gathers prices differently, and the differences explain most of the gap.

A source that averages published salon menus across many cities reports higher figures than one based on typical mom-and-pop shops. A source that includes spa tiers raises the top of the range. Treat the overlap as your starting point, and then check a few salons near you.

• City and neighborhood. Salons in high-rent areas charge more.
• Salon type. A neighborhood nail shop, a boutique salon, and a hotel spa price differently.
• Service tier. Basic, gel, and spa services follow the order shown above.
• Foot condition. Extra callus work or special treatments may be quoted separately.

Pedicure prices do not tell you how clean a salon is. State boards regulate nail salons, and a licensed salon can show you its license and explain how tools are cleaned. If you have diabetes, circulation problems, or a skin or nail condition, talk to a licensed medical professional before booking a pedicure. A podiatrist can tell you which services are appropriate for your feet.

Menus rarely spell out what a tier includes, so ask three things before the soak starts. Does the price cover polish removal and regular color, or only the base service? Is the massage a set length or a short finish? Does the gel option include taking off the old gel? The answers explain most gaps between two menus that look alike.

Salon type matters too. A neighborhood nail shop, a day spa, and a hotel spa may all list a pedicure, and the spa tiers usually add treatments that the shop does not offer. If you want the simplest service, say so when you book, and the salon can steer you to the right line on its menu. Tipping is customary and is paid separately from the listed price.