Nail Technician Defined

A nail technician, sometimes referred to as a manicurist, provides services including manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, polishing and nail artistry, hand, foot and arm massage, and other miscellaneous hand and foot treatments such as exfoliation and masks.

What it Takes
Becoming a successful nail technician takes great attention to detail, outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, and a genuine love for the beauty industry. Physically, you’ll need to practice excellent posture to be able to sit for long periods of time. You’ll also need a nail technician/ manicurist or a cosmetology license. Check with your state’s Cosmetology Board for requirements.

What You’ll Make
Average nail technician salaries vary greatly depending on what type of business you work for and where you live. You’ll probably earn more working in a full-service salon than you will if you work in a nail-only salon. In your first year, statistics show you’ll earn somewhere between $24,000 and $31,000 not including tips, which account for a measureable portion of your income. As you gain experience and build a clientele, your salary will increase.

Working World
Nail technicians do much more than polish fingernails. You’ll spend lots of one-on-one time with each of your clients – more so than any other profession in the beauty industry. While hairstylists and estheticians spend most of their time working behind their clients, as a nail technician you’ll be working face to face with your customers.

Of all the beauty specialties, work environments for nail technicians are perhaps the most varied. On one end of the spectrum are the nail-only shops that focus on delivering quick services at a low cost. Nail technicians that work in nail-only shops perform a high volume of services – most commonly manicures, pedicures, and artificial nails. On the other end of the spectrum are the full-service salons and day spas that focus on providing the client with a holistic beauty experience, and a nail technician is an integral part of that experience. Nail technicians that work in full-service salons and spas typically perform fewer services each day, but spend more time with each client to enhance the overall pampering experience. For example, the massage portion of manicures and pedicures may be extended, and add-on services such as paraffin, foot masks and nail art are commonplace.

Because the beauty industry is dominated by creative people, new trends in nail technology are always popping up. You’ll be learning and creating new techniques, working with innovative products, and honing your nail art skills continually. Nail art can include painting designs and patterns, applying stones and gems, and even sculpting three-dimensional designs. The more time you spend refining your nail art skills, the more in-demand you’ll be. Extravagant nail art is displayed at industry events, fashion shows, on TV and in the movies, so if you’re good at it you can go anywhere!

Clean, well-kept hands and fingernails make a lasting impression. Almost everyone uses their hands as a natural extension of their personalities and style of communication. Our body language says much more than our words do! As a nail technician, you’ll quite literally hold your clients’ hands as you give them the finishing touches to their look. Besides supporting us all day every day, our feet also make a fashion statement. As any girl will tell you, perfectly pedicured feet increase confidence and feel great – not to mention how fabulous they look with open-toed shoes or on the beach. With the increasing popularity of foot, ankle and toe jewelry, more and more eyes are focusing on feet. But pedicures are more than just cosmetic. Regular pedicures keep feet soft and healthy – something that anybody can appreciate.

Never underestimate the importance of healthy, beautiful hands and feet. Put beauty in your clients’ hands and help them put their best feet forward…become a nail technician!