Manicurist and Pedicurist Salary
Manicurists and Pedicurists earn a median $35,760 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$35,760
$17.19 per hour
Range
$28,920 – $50,140
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
152,770
across the U.S.
▲3.2%
Pay trend: The median for manicurists and pedicurists in the U.S. rose from $34,660 (May 2024) to $35,760 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.8%.
What manicurists and pedicurists do
Clean and shape customers’ fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 21,900
- Self-employed
- 23%
Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 21,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Manicurist and Pedicurist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$30,913
per year · effective tax rate 13.6%
$2,576Monthly
$1,288Twice a month
$1,189Every 2 weeks
$14.86Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,111
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,217
- Medicare (1.45%)$519
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,913
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,920 | $13.90 | $25,417 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 | $29,507 |
| Median (50th) | $35,760 | $17.19 | $30,913 |
| 75th percentile | $41,650 | $20.02 | $35,646 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,140 | $24.11 | $42,467 |
Best cities for manicurists and pedicurists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $50,800 | $42,998 | $38,690 | 3,610 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $42,040 | $34,603 | $31,779 | 3,400 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $41,600 | $34,411 | $29,764 | 4,040 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $37,390 | $31,286 | $29,576 | 2,700 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $35,920 | $29,939 | $28,561 | 2,680 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $35,340 | $29,713 | $27,855 | 3,130 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $35,200 | $29,608 | $27,816 | 4,750 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $36,670 | $30,712 | $27,449 | 4,180 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,570 | $30,636 | $26,977 | 15,050 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $35,480 | $29,134 | $26,910 | 3,780 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $34,910 | $28,942 | $25,712 | 24,390 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,200 | $26,291 | $25,637 | 7,320 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $50,800
- Washington, DC — $42,040
- San Francisco, CA — $41,600
- Denver, CO — $37,390
- San Diego, CA — $36,670
- Los Angeles, CA — $36,570
- Minneapolis, MN — $35,920
- Boston, MA — $35,480
- Sacramento, CA — $35,340
- Riverside, CA — $35,200
- New York, NY — $34,910
- Philadelphia, PA — $31,200
Manicurist and Pedicurist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $60,790 | +108.8% | $47,935 | $29,120 – $79,730 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $56,940 | +55.7% | $46,220 | $29,070 – $100,610 | 310 |
| Washington | $49,900 | +4.3% | $42,275 | $38,660 – $63,430 | 5,570 |
| Maine | $48,540 | −1.8% | $39,087 | $36,800 – $81,490 | 200 |
| Alaska | $47,890 | +4.0% | $40,660 | $28,020 – $59,620 | 180 |
| Oregon | $46,080 | +28.1% | $36,003 | $35,230 – $77,420 | 2,210 |
| Iowa | $45,420 | +17.9% | $37,601 | $15,800 – $58,150 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $45,310 | −25.7% | $37,118 | $31,480 – $65,430 | 240 |
| South Dakota | $45,310 | +12.7% | $38,587 | $34,280 – $54,850 | 250 |
| Nevada | $41,880 | +18.5% | $35,831 | $30,000 – $78,300 | 1,020 |
| Missouri | $39,100 | +0.4% | $32,696 | $28,600 – $55,240 | 1,630 |
| West Virginia | $38,260 | +6.2% | $31,881 | $27,470 – $48,670 | 120 |
| Florida | $37,840 | +16.9% | $32,584 | $28,730 – $59,940 | 4,470 |
| Maryland | $37,300 | +2.5% | $30,742 | $34,280 – $48,370 | 2,080 |
| Mississippi | $37,300 | −12.0% | $31,391 | $21,750 – $82,040 | 520 |
| Colorado | $37,110 | −1.8% | $31,073 | $32,030 – $64,590 | 3,970 |
| Illinois | $37,050 | +7.3% | $30,260 | $31,200 – $48,840 | 2,470 |
| Michigan | $36,890 | +5.6% | $30,504 | $27,740 – $65,880 | 1,020 |
| Wisconsin | $36,680 | +7.3% | $30,819 | $20,950 – $54,400 | 2,350 |
| California | $36,630 | +4.7% | $30,681 | $34,840 – $47,260 | 39,210 |
| Virginia | $36,630 | −0.9% | $30,320 | $29,370 – $59,430 | 4,230 |
| District of Columbia | $36,620 | −22.3% | $30,573 | $36,400 – $50,620 | — |
| New Jersey | $36,370 | +15.6% | $30,848 | $32,220 – $39,390 | 11,520 |
| Indiana | $36,140 | +9.2% | $30,182 | $21,580 – $46,740 | 510 |
| Minnesota | $36,040 | −0.3% | $30,029 | $27,550 – $47,800 | 3,260 |
| Ohio | $35,590 | −0.9% | $30,580 | $26,650 – $53,260 | 3,680 |
| Massachusetts | $35,470 | +3.8% | $29,127 | $33,510 – $46,210 | 4,660 |
| Arizona | $35,290 | +1.3% | $29,862 | $30,800 – $51,740 | 2,440 |
| New Hampshire | $35,100 | +10.7% | $30,383 | $29,410 – $56,900 | 490 |
| Idaho | $34,910 | +5.0% | $29,488 | $25,150 – $51,440 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $34,910 | −3.5% | $29,538 | $31,200 – $43,880 | — |
| Tennessee | $34,810 | +15.9% | $30,150 | $20,450 – $57,340 | 1,200 |
| North Carolina | $34,740 | −0.2% | $29,216 | $22,150 – $73,260 | 1,900 |
| Connecticut | $34,720 | +6.4% | $29,440 | $34,010 – $44,860 | 4,490 |
| New York | $34,660 | +3.8% | $28,755 | $32,240 – $35,730 | 19,710 |
| Texas | $34,040 | −7.8% | $29,531 | $18,950 – $48,510 | 5,340 |
| South Carolina | $33,810 | +30.1% | $28,475 | $18,450 – $62,550 | 710 |
| Montana | $33,660 | — | $28,400 | $26,690 – $43,880 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $33,430 | +8.1% | $29,041 | $30,560 – $76,120 | 270 |
| Oklahoma | $31,330 | +6.0% | $26,489 | $22,290 – $50,620 | 480 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | +9.6% | $26,194 | $31,200 – $38,060 | 780 |
| Kansas | $30,930 | +0.9% | $26,088 | $21,320 – $44,820 | 1,510 |
| Alabama | $30,300 | +8.3% | $25,276 | $21,160 – $57,370 | 920 |
| Utah | $28,820 | −24.9% | $25,006 | $20,410 – $42,540 | 1,150 |
| Louisiana | $28,170 | −3.2% | $24,349 | $18,190 – $45,860 | 2,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,990 | +1.9% | $23,800 | $20,520 – $43,890 | 9,610 |
| Arkansas | $27,690 | −0.3% | $23,546 | $23,930 – $49,060 | 230 |
| Georgia | $26,910 | +1.5% | $22,997 | $21,390 – $56,640 | 1,710 |
| New Mexico | $25,720 | −40.0% | $22,576 | $25,720 – $52,950 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampooer | $32,600 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +8.8% |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.1% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% |
| Barber | $38,210 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.3% |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.1% |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $36,300 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $36,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a manicurist and pedicurist make?
The national median salary for manicurists and pedicurists is $35,760 a year ($17.19 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,920 and the top 10% earn over $50,140. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays manicurists and pedicurists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $60,790. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many manicurists and pedicurists are there in the U.S.?
About 152,770 people work as manicurists and pedicurists nationwide.