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Manicurists and Pedicurists in California
Thinking about a career as a Manicurists and Pedicurists in California? Here’s what you need to know. Clean and shape customers’ fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
What do Manicurists and Pedicurists Make in California?
For manicurists and pedicurists working in California, the median annual wage is $35,000 per year (or roughly $16.83/hour).Pay can range from $33,630 at the 10th percentile to $44,610 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $34,390 | $16.54 |
| Median (50th) | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 75th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| 90th percentile | $44,610 | $21.45 |
The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 2.18, meaning that manicurists and pedicurists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, manicurists and pedicurists earn a median of $29,229 per year ($14.05/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 264,316 manicurists and pedicurists across the United States. In California alone, about 37,730 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,280 manicurists and pedicurists.
Top California Metros for Manicurists and Pedicurists
These are the California metros with the most manicurists and pedicurists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 15,010 | $34,980 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,430 | $33,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,090 | $36,490 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,910 | $35,470 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,770 | $35,140 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,160 | $39,950 |
| Fresno, CA | 770 | $33,470 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 650 | $34,150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 580 | $35,370 |
| Vallejo, CA | 460 | $36,100 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 420 | $34,100 |
| Modesto, CA | 360 | $33,420 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 350 | $36,910 |
| Salinas, CA | 210 | $35,530 |
| Visalia, CA | 210 | $33,460 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 190 | $34,760 |
| Chico, CA | 120 | $34,210 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 120 | $35,130 |
| Napa, CA | 110 | $37,190 |
| Redding, CA | 110 | $34,020 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 60 | $33,750 |
Top States for Manicurists and Pedicurists Employment
View the states that employ the most manicurists and pedicurists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 37,730 |
| New York | 19,770 |
| New Jersey | 10,530 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,680 |
| Washington | 5,650 |
| Massachusetts | 5,400 |
| Connecticut | 4,420 |
| Virginia | 4,270 |
| Florida | 4,230 |
| Texas | 4,150 |
| Colorado | 3,910 |
| Ohio | 3,500 |
| Minnesota | 3,400 |
| Arizona | 2,710 |
| Illinois | 2,490 |
| Wisconsin | 2,210 |
| Maryland | 2,100 |
| Louisiana | 1,980 |
| Oregon | 1,910 |
| Georgia | 1,900 |
Highest-Paying States for Manicurists and Pedicurists
Where manicurists and pedicurists earn the most: manicurists and pedicurists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $60,950 |
| Maine | $49,430 |
| Washington | $47,840 |
| District of Columbia | $47,120 |
| Alaska | $46,040 |
| New Mexico | $42,840 |
| Mississippi | $42,370 |
| South Dakota | $40,210 |
| Missouri | $38,950 |
| Iowa | $38,530 |
Skills
The most important manicurists and pedicurists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for manicurists and pedicurists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
- Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
- Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
- Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
- Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles.
- Prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks.
- Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs.
- Use rotary abrasive wheels to shape and smooth nails or artificial extensions.
- Schedule client appointments and accept payments.
- Assess the condition of clients' hands, remove dead skin, and massage hands.
- Roughen surfaces of fingernails, using abrasive wheel.
- Advise clients on nail care and use of products and colors.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Thinking Creatively
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Getting Information
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Scheduling Work and Activities
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Facebook
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to manicurists and pedicurists include:
- Barbers
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Shampooers
- Skincare Specialists
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Also Known As
Fingernail Former, Fingernail Sculptor, Fingernail Sculpturer, Fingernail Technician, Licensed Nail Technician (Licensed Nail Tech), Manicurist, Nail Artist, Nail Technician (Nail Tech), Pedicurist, Salon Nail Technician (Salon Nail Tech), Spa Nail Technician (Spa Nail Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 39-5092.00