Manicurist and Pedicurist Salary in Boston, MA
Manicurists and Pedicurists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $35,480 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,134 take-home, or $2,428 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median manicurist and pedicurist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,078
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,200
- Medicare (1.45%)$514
- Massachusetts income tax$1,554
- Take-home pay$29,134
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Manicurist and Pedicurist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,880 | $16.77 | $28,682 | $2,390 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 | $28,773 | $2,398 |
| Median (50th) | $35,480 | $17.06 | $29,134 | $2,428 |
| 75th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 | $36,797 | $3,066 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,220 | $22.22 | $37,227 | $3,102 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,480 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median manicurist and pedicurist's $29,134 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,910 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of manicurist and pedicurist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for manicurists and pedicurists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #10 of 12 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $50,800 | $42,998 | $38,690 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $42,040 | $34,603 | $31,779 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $41,600 | $34,411 | $29,764 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $37,390 | $31,286 | $29,576 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $35,920 | $29,939 | $28,561 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $35,340 | $29,713 | $27,855 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $35,200 | $29,608 | $27,816 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $36,670 | $30,712 | $27,449 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $35,480 | $29,134 | $26,910 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 12 metros →
About the job: manicurists and pedicurists
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)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a manicurist and pedicurist make in Boston, MA?
The median manicurist and pedicurist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $35,480 a year, or about $17.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,000 and $45,650.
What is a manicurist and pedicurist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $35,480 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $29,134 a year ($2,428 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,554 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a manicurist and pedicurist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,760. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,910 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #10 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a manicurist and pedicurist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 94% of a median manicurist and pedicurist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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