Nail Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Nail Tech make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nail Tech in the United States is $23,981 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $12.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $28,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $21,934 to $26,533
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $20,071
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View as table View as graph 25% $21,934 10% $20,071 90% $28,856 75% $26,533 $23,981 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Nail Tech Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $26,533 $2,211 $510 $13
Average $23,981 $1,998 $461 $12
25th Percentile $21,934 $1,828 $422 $11
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Key Factors That Influence Nail Tech Salaries

A Nail Tech'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 Nail Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nail Tech'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): $23,782
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $23,839
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $24,066
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $24,407
  • Expert (over 8 years): $25,362
Levels Salary
Entry Level Nail Tech$23,782
Intermediate Level Nail Tech$23,839
Senior Level Nail Tech$24,066
Specialist Level Nail Tech$24,407
Expert Level Nail Tech$25,362
$23,782 0 yr
$23,839 < 2 yrs
$24,066 2-4 yrs
$24,407 5-8 yrs
$25,362 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Nail Teches

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: $30,247
  • San Francisco: $29,950
  • Oakland: $29,286

What Skills Can Increase a Nail Tech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.7% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Algorithms (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): Algorithms act as an exact list of instructions that conduct specified actions step by step in either hardware- or software-based routines.
  • Hospitality Industry (Mentioned in 0.51% Job Postings): The hospitality industry is a broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, travel and tourism.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.7%
Algorithms 1.02%
Hospitality Industry 0.51%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Nail Tech's salary.
  • Infection Control: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Generosity: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Infection Control
$32,135
34%
Generosity
$30,456
27%
Organizational Skills
$30,456
27%
Guest Service
$29,497
23%
Verbal Communication
$29,017
21%
Empowerment
$28,777
20%
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Nail Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nail Tech'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, 2026

Salary Trends for Nail Tech

Salaries for a Nail Tech can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,371 in 2023 to around $46,984 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nail Tech salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Nail Tech Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,371
2024
$47,746
2025
$46,984
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,371
2024 $47,746
2025 $46,984
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Nail Tech

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Nail Tech

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

Find Your Next Nail Tech Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nail Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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