Manicurists and Pedicurists
Additional Information
Duties
The following is normally what a manicurist or pedicurist does:
- Inquire about nail treatments and services offered.
- Take off your nail paint before continuing.
- Trim, file, and polish your nails.
- Reduce skin roughness and calluses.
- Make sure your hands and feet are well-moisturized before getting a manicure or pedicure (for a pedicure)
- Buff or polish your nails.
- Educate clients on proper hand- and foot-care techniques.
- Nail and skin care products should be promoted and sold.
- Their work area and tools should be sanitized.
Toenail and fingernail grooming services are provided by manicurists and pedicurists alone. In order to remove dead skin cells, a common treatment involves immersing the client's hands or feet in water to soften the skin. Your hands and feet are moisturized by manicurists and pedicurists using lotion. Artificial fingernails can also be shaped and polished by these professionals.
Among the many instruments used by manicurists and pedicurists are clippers, files, and specialist cuticle tools for the hands and feet. Because of the sharpness of many of the instruments they work with, they must maintain a high level of concentration at all times. It is critical that they maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of their equipment.
Owner-operators of a nail salon must conduct a variety of clerical duties such as maintaining inventory and placing orders for supplies. Aside from hiring and supervising employees, they also offer nail care items like paint and lotion for the hands and feet, among other things. The number of personnel who make house calls is on the rise. Customers like mobile manicure and pedicure services because they are more convenient.
Education
A state-approved cosmetology or nail technician curriculum is required to become a manicurist or pedicurist. There are hundreds of programs in existence right now around the country.
Registration, Licenses, and Certifications
The prerequisites for obtaining a driver's license differ from state to state. To be eligible, candidates must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent to apply. In order to get a license from the state board of cosmetology or nail technology, manicurists and pedicurists must pass written and practical exams. Additional licensing is required for mobile pedicure and manicure services.
In addition to providing information about licensing tests, the National–Interstate Cosmetology Council publishes example questions. The Professional Beauty Association and the American Association of Cosmetology Schools both give information on state tests and other resources for the industry.
Qualities that are essential
Business knowledge. To manage a nail salon, nail technicians and pedicurists need to be familiar with the fundamentals of business. As an example, they should be proficient in administrative responsibilities, including bookkeeping and human resource management, and be able to run a salon effectively and financially.
Creativity. An artist's ability to execute small, delicate patterns precisely, as well as their ability to meet particular preferences, is critical.
Pay
The median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $16.66 in May 2024. 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 $13.42, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.07.
Job Projections
Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.