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Licensed Nail Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Licensed Nail Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Nail Technician in the United States is $27,399 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Licensed Nail Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $31,249
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $25,739 to $29,415
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24,227
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Nail Technician Salaries

A Licensed Nail Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Licensed Nail Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Nail Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $27,469
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $27,745
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $28,495
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $28,597
  • Expert (over 8 years): $28,767
Levels Salary
Entry Level Licensed Nail Technician$27,469
Intermediate Level Licensed Nail Technician$27,745
Senior Level Licensed Nail Technician$28,495
Specialist Level Licensed Nail Technician$28,597
Expert Level Licensed Nail Technician$28,767
View as Graph

How Do Licensed Nail Technician Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Licensed Nail Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $30,337.
  • California: $30,222.
  • Massachusetts: $29,819.

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Nail Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $34,559
  • San Francisco: $34,180
  • Oakland: $33,460

Licensed Nail Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Nail Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Licensed Nail Technician positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Licensed Nail Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Licensed Nail Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$32,879$16.020%

Licensed Nail Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Nail Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$25,739
Average $27,399/year
$29,415
$2,145
Average $2,283/month
$2,451
$495
Average $527/week
$566
$12
Average $13/hour
$14
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $29,415 $2,451 $566 $14
Average $27,399 $2,283 $527 $13
25th Percentile $25,739 $2,145 $495 $12

Most common benefits for Licensed Nail Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Licensed Nail Technician

Here are companies hiring for Licensed Nail Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Licensed Nail Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Licensed Nail Technician?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Nail Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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