As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nail Designer in the United States is $69,958 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a Nail Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Nail Designer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Nail Designer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nail Designer | $70,842 |
| Intermediate Level Nail Designer | $71,454 |
| Senior Level Nail Designer | $72,732 |
| Specialist Level Nail Designer | $72,987 |
| Expert Level Nail Designer | $73,158 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Nail Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 3.73% |
| Medical Emergency | 2.78% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.4% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Storytelling
|
$97,941 |
40%
|
|
Call Center
|
$88,147 |
26%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$83,949 |
20%
|
|
Oral Communication
|
$81,151 |
16%
|
|
Change Management
|
$79,052 |
13%
|
|
Project Management
|
$79,052 |
13%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nail Designers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Nail Designer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $65,833 and $70,174).
Nail Designer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.8% |
| High School | 25.9% |
| Associates | 17.0% |
| Bachelors | 48.2% |
| Masters | 6.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how a Nail Designer'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Nail Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,328 in 2023 to around $69,942 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nail Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $71,328 |
| 2024 | $70,741 |
| 2025 | $69,942 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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