Manicurists and Pedicurists

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Summary

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.
Quick Facts: Manicurists and Pedicurists
2010 Median Pay $19,650 per year
$9.45 per hour
Entry-Level Education Postsecondary non-degree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2010 81,700
Job Outlook, 2010-20 17% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 13,600

What Manicurists and Pedicurists Do

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.

Work Environment

Manicurists and pedicurists work in a spa or nail salon. Those who own a mobile grooming company travel to meet with their clients. Many work evenings and weekends. About 37 percent were self-employed in 2010, many running their own nail salon business.

How to Become a Manicurist or Pedicurist

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology program. After they finish the program, they must pass a state exam for licensure, which all states except Connecticut require. 

Pay

The median hourly wage of manicurists and pedicurists was $9.45 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. High turnover and the growing number of nail salons will result in very good job opportunities.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of manicurists and pedicurists with similar occupations.

O*NET

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about manicurists and pedicurists by contacting these additional resources.

What Manicurists and Pedicurists Do About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists polish or buff nails.

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.

Duties

Manicurists and pedicurists typically do the following:

  • Discuss nail treatments and services available
  • Remove nail polish and rough skin
  • Clean, trim, and file nails
  • Massage and moisturize hands (for manicure) and feet (for pedicure)
  • Polish or buff nails
  • Advise clients about nail care
  • Promote and sell nail care products
  • Clean and disinfect their work area and tools

Manicurists and pedicurists work exclusively on the hands and feet, providing treatments to groom fingernails and toenails. A typical treatment involves soaking the clients’ hands or feet to soften the skin to remove dead skin-cells. Manicurists and pedicurists also apply lotion or oil to hands and feet to moisturize the skin. They may also apply, shape, and apply polish to artificial fingernails. 

Manicurists and pedicurists use a variety of tools, including nail clippers, nail files, and specialized cuticle tools. They must be focused while they perform their duties because most of the tools they use are sharp. They must also keep their work area and tools clean and sanitary.

Some manicurists and pedicurists operate their own businesses, typically at salons. They manage the daily decision-making tasks, such as keeping inventory records and ordering supplies. They also hire and supervise workers and sell nail care products, such as nail polish and hand or foot cream, to clients. A small but growing number of workers make house calls. These mobile manicure and pedicure services are popular because of their convenience.

Work Environment About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists work in spas or nail salons, and often sit for long periods.

Manicurists and pedicurists held about 81,700 jobs in 2010, of which 60 percent worked in the personal care services industry. About 37 percent were self-employed, many running their own nail salon business.

Manicurists and pedicurists usually work in a spa or nail salon. The job involves a lot of sitting. Those who own a mobile grooming company must travel to their clients’ homes. 

Manicurists and pedicurists sometimes use chemicals when working on fingernails and toenails, so they often wear latex gloves, masks, and protective clothing.

Work Schedules

Although most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, many have variable schedules and work part time. Their schedules are often determined by the type of establishment they work for. For example, a full service salon may require manicurists and pedicurists to work an eight-hour day. A boutique hair salon, however, may require shorter work hours on a part-time basis. Longer hours are not unusual for self-employed workers. Weekends and evenings tend to be the busiest times for manicurists and pedicurists. 

How to Become a Manicurist or Pedicurist About this section

Manicurists and pedicurists
Manicurists and pedicurists must pass a state-approved cosmetology program before licensure.

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology program. After they finish the program, they must pass a state exam for licensure, which all states except Connecticut require.   

Education and Training

Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology program. Currently, there are 474 programs nationwide. Some high schools offer this training. 

Licenses

State licensing requirements vary. However, applicants need to be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. After completing a state-approved cosmetology program, manicurists and pedicurists must take a written and practical exam to get a license through their state board.    

Important Qualities

Creativity. The ability to neatly finish small, intricate designs is important, as is the ability to suggest and match nail designs for individual tastes. 

Customer-service skills. Good listening and interpersonal skills are important when working with clients. Also, meeting the needs of clients, including interacting with them while doing a manicure or pedicure, helps to encourage repeat business.    

Dexterity. A steady hand is essential in achieving a creative and precise nail design. Because manicurists and pedicurists often use sharp tools, they must also be well coordinated.

Pay About this section

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Median hourly wages, May 2010

Total, All Occupations

$16.27

Personal Appearance Workers

$10.77

Manicurists and Pedicurists

$9.45

 

The median hourly wage of manicurists and pedicurists was $9.45 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.85, and the top 10 percent earned more than $14.71.

Although most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, many have variable schedules and work part time. Their schedules are often determined by the type of establishment they work for. For example, a full service salon may require manicurists and pedicurists to work an eight-hour day. A boutique hair salon, however, may require shorter work hours on a part-time basis. Longer hours are not unusual for self-employed workers. Weekends and evenings tend to be the busiest times for manicurists and pedicurists.

Job Outlook About this section

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Manicurists and Pedicurists

17%

Personal Appearance Workers

15%

Total, All Occupations

14%

 

Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

The increase in employment reflects demand for new nail services being offered, such as mini sessions (quick manicures at a low cost) and mobile manicures and pedicures (house calls). The desire among young women and a growing number of men to lead a more healthful lifestyle through better grooming and wellness should also result in higher employment.

Considered a low-cost luxury service, manicures and pedicures will continue to be in demand by individuals at all income levels.   

Job Prospects

Job opportunities should be very good overall. The growing number of nail salons and the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations will result in many job openings.

Employment projections data for manicurists and pedicurists, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Manicurists and Pedicurists

39-5092 81,700 95,300 17 13,600 [XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of manicurists and pedicurists.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2010 MEDIAN PAY Help
Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists

Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmetologists

Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide hair styling and beauty services.

See How to Become One $22,500
Skin care specialists

Skincare Specialists

Skincare specialists cleanse and beautify the face and body to enhance a person’s appearance.  

Postsecondary non-degree award $28,920
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Manicurists and Pedicurists,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/manicurists-and-pedicurists.htm (visited October 17, 2012).

Publish Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012