Manicurist and Pedicurist Salary in Washington, DC
Manicurists and Pedicurists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $42,040 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,603 take-home, or $2,884 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median manicurist and pedicurist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,865
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,606
- Medicare (1.45%)$610
- District of Columbia income tax$1,356
- Take-home pay$34,603
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,750 | $16.71 | $29,183 | $2,432 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 | $30,409 | $2,534 |
| Median (50th) | $42,040 | $20.21 | $34,603 | $2,884 |
| 75th percentile | $46,960 | $22.58 | $38,261 | $3,188 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,020 | $28.86 | $47,951 | $3,996 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,040 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median manicurist and pedicurist's $34,603 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,779 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Manicurist and Pedicurist jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for manicurists and pedicurists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 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 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median manicurist and pedicurist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $42,040 a year, or about $20.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,400 and $46,960.
What is a manicurist and pedicurist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $42,040 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $34,603 a year ($2,884 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,356 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a manicurist and pedicurist?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $35,760. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,779 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a manicurist and pedicurist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 69% of a median manicurist and pedicurist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Recreation Worker — $42,800
- Concierge — $38,810
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $38,000
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