Last Updated: May 15th, 2022 by
Nail technicians perform challenging work for their careers. After completing an education program and getting licensed, manicurists can start working.
Before becoming a nail tech, you should learn about the nail technician school and license requirements, skills, tools, technology, salary, and the job outlook.
Keep reading to learn how to become a nail tech.
Visit our Career Guide for a list of all our job insights for an in-depth look at the new career path you are considering.
Job Description
Before we discuss how to become a nail tech, let’s take a look at what a nail tech is and what they do.
A nail technician (also known as manicurists and pedicurists) works in nail salons with clients.
They give professional aesthetic and grooming treatments, including:
- Applying gel, shellac, and polish to the clients’ fingernails and toenails
- Utilizing nail clippers, files, cuticle trimmers, and drills
- Applying artificial nails, acrylic nails, and nail extensions
- Creating and designing nail art
A licensed manicurist must obtain proficiency in using specialized tools without injuring their client. They also need to keep themselves and their workstations hygienic and sanitary. After several years in the beauty industry, many choose to open a salon.
A licensed nail technician performs manicures and pedicures regularly. They trim and file natural and artificial nails into attractive and aesthetically pleasing shapes, pushing back and removing the cuticle. Nail techs also repair broken nails and apply nail extensions.
Technicians with incredible artistic skills will create pictures and designs on their clients’ nails.
Read More: How to Become a Piercer. Learn what a Piercer does in their day-to-day lives and how to pursue this artistic career!
What Does an Average Day for a Nail Tech Look Like?
In the following section, we’ll take a deep dive into how to become a nail tech, but first, what does an average day as a nail tech look like?
Nail technicians usually work long hours to beautify their clients’ nails. They act as maids, receptionists, manicures, and accountants simultaneously.
Preparing the Workstation
An average day starts with cleaning your workstation and restocking any missing inventory. Everything that touches the client requires sanitization before and after use. Nail technicians receive heavy training in hygienic techniques to ensure they keep their customers safe.
Facing the Customers
A nail tech will work one-on-one with customers. They answer phone calls and text messages and greet their visitors at the door. A manicurist must remain cordial and friendly in their consultations with every client.
Many successful nail technicians possess excellent listening and communication skills. People appreciate their artistic skills and attentiveness.
Nail Design
You’ll listen to a client’s demands all day long. They may ask for specific designs, colors, and shapes for their nails. You need expertise in applying acrylics, artificial nails, extensions, gel coats, wraps, 3D nails, shellac, and paintings.
Skin and Nail Assessment
Furthermore, a nail technician will assess the quality of their client’s skin and nails. You may need to recommend skin and nail care routines, as well as products to improve and maintain the health and beauty of your client’s hands or feet.
You’ll also perform specific skin and nail-related treatments during appointments.
Processing Payments
After beautifying your client’s hands and feet, you’ll process payments. If your nail salon has a receptionist, you may not handle this task. However, many technicians work with credit cards completing bookkeeping and accounting tasks.
How to Become a Nail Tech: Process
Now that you know what a nail tech is and what an average day consists of, let’s finally discuss how to become a nail tech.
If you want to become a manicurist, you must receive a diploma, complete nail technician programs, obtain a license, and find a workplace.
1. Get Your High School Diploma or GED
Most high schools don’t offer courses in cosmetology, but you will need a high school diploma or GED for this career regardless. If you want some foundational training, consider taking visual arts, business, and communications electives.
Technical high schools sometimes have cosmetology programs with courses designed to train you in beautician fundamentals.
You’ll learn aesthetic strategies, which will help you obtain licensure faster. A technical high school can save you time as you won’t need to earn an additional cosmetology degree after – you can get your license immediately.
2. Attend a Nail Technician Training Program or Cosmetology Apprenticeship
You can enroll in an in-person or online nail technician training program. You’ll need to be at least 16 years old with a high school diploma or GED.
Many community and technical colleges have beautician programs, or you can find a cosmetology school. Some people choose to pursue apprenticeships instead of learning directly from manicurists.
A nail technician program will teach you all about anatomy, chemicals, disinfection, disorders, hygiene, massage theory, nail technology, products, public health, and sterilization.
The skills covered include:
- Foot and calf massages
- Gels
- Manicures
- Nail design and art
- Pedicures
- Sanitation and safety
- Sculptures
- Tips
- Wraps
3. Obtain a License
Licensure requirements vary between states. You must complete an accredited cosmetology program to qualify for the licensing exam. The state board will request that you take a practical and written exam to get the general license.
If you want to perform mobile pedicure and manicure services, you may need to acquire a separate license. You can research the testing process on the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC Testing) website.
This resource offers practice exams, preparation guides and state-specific information concerning the examination. You may also wish to view instructional videos.
For the most part, the examinations will instruct you to demonstrate your manicure, pedicure, sanitation, and safety skills. You may need to take more tests every few years to ensure you have retained the necessary knowledge.
4. Find a Job
After figuring out how to become a nail tech, you’ll want to find employment. Most novices will locate a job at an established beauty salon, resort, nail salon, or spa.
Others search for spaces to rent or work from their homes. You may wish to develop a clientele before pursuing one of these employment options.
5. Develop Your Clientele and Advance Your Career
To advance in your career, you must develop a clientele. People flock to those who are hardworking, communicative, self-motivated, creative, adaptive, and talented. By expanding your technical knowledge and personable qualities, you can nurture loyal customers.
After developing your base, you can open a salon. Before that, you may advance to a management or supervisory role in your original workplace. You can advance your career further by learning other forms of cosmetology to expand your provided services.
Are You Suited for a Nail Tech Career?
Now that you know how to become a nail tech, is this the right career path for you?
Not everyone has the personality, skills, credentials, and proficiencies necessary to learn how to become a nail tech. Below are the skills and qualitfications you’ll need to pursue this career.
Personality and Skills
A nail tech must have well-developed customer service skills. They need to listen and communicate with their clients in a friendly, yet professional, manner. Nail technicians must strike a balance between friend and manicurist to attract loyal customers.
Additionally, they need high levels of creativity and artistic ability. Many expert nail technicians create intricate, minuscule designs on the fingernail. If your client doesn’t know what art they desire, you must provide suggestions that complement their personalities, interests, and lifestyles.
Nail technicians also require finger dexterity and steady hands to create precise designs.
Lastly, nail techs need business skills. As a nail technician, you’ll perform personnel management, accounting, and other administrative tasks. You’ll need to understand business principles to run the salon efficiently and become profitable.
Credentials and Proficiencies
Once you get your state licensure, you won’t need an additional license unless you plan on working in a mobile business. You may wish to become certified in another cosmetology discipline if you plan on opening a salon, but it’s not necessary.
You can gain an advantage in the employment market by developing proficiencies in using tools like nail clippers, cuticle trimmers, drills, files, brushes, dryers, UV lights, and other applicators.
How to Become a Nail Tech and Find Work
You know how to become a nail tech and if you’re suited for the career, but how will you find work?
A nail tech can find work in a few different careers. They can work at a salon or spa as it provides flexible schedules, lets you build your clientele, learn about beauty products, and witness new techniques. You may be able to find work on cruise ships or at vacation resorts, country clubs and airports, as well.
Nail technicians may find work in counseling for magazines, celebrities, and websites. They can sell products and services for their salon, or become a salon owner. Some work in a mobile environment by catering for parties and events.
Lastly, you can become an educator at a cosmetology school. For all of these options, you can search an online job board for an employment opportunity and apply. Having the correct licenses and previous experience always helps.
The Average Salary of a Nail Tech
Nail techs make an average hourly wage of $13.40, with the range extending from $9.79 to $18.70.
Most technicians have full-time jobs, but some work part-time with variable schedules. The hours you work will determine your annual salary, and different salons vary in work requirements.
You can increase your salary by obtaining higher education, working longer hours, demonstrating administrative competency, and attracting a devoted clientele base.
The top 5 states for nail technicians based on average salary are:
- Hawaii: $45,240
- Minnesota: $28,985
- Arizona: $26,489
- North Carolina: $26,267
- Alaska: $26,150
Read our related article on How to Become a Lash Technician. Discover this career growing in popularity!
Nail Tech Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for manicurists and pedicurists is 19% between 2019 and 2029.
This value is significantly higher than the total for all occupations and other personal appearance workers, which is 4% each.
Read More: Cosmetics Jobs. Interested in other beauty-focused career paths? This article offers more career suggestions.
Top 7 Jobs by Growth Within Nail Tech for 2021
The top 7 nail tech jobs are:
- Manicurist
- Pedicurist
- Skincare specialists
- Personal care services
- Self-employed nail technicians
- Fitness centers
- Cosmetologists
Top 3 Most Popular Job Paths
Some career paths that nail technicians have are a manicurist and pedicurist, nail salon owner or educator.
Manicurist and Pedicurist
A manicurist and pedicurist will consult with clients, perform a manicure or pedicure and design nail art. Someone who enjoys working closely with people and has a steady hand will enjoy this job.
The salary is the same as mentioned above since manicurists and pedicurists are used synonymously with nail technicians.
Nail Salon Owner
A nail salon owner manages other technicians, prices services, sells products, acquires inventory and markets their business.
They need business management and organizational skills, plus several years of experience working as a nail technician. All that hard work will earn $40,000 to $75,000 a year.
Nail Educator
Nail educators work for schools, trade shows, and magazines to inform people about nail technician skills.
They have the same requirements as a manicurist, but they should have public speaking, communications, and teaching skills as well. Cosmetology teachers make around $41,412 a year.
Professional Associations
- American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
- National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC Testing)
- Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
