Nail technicians are members of the personal care industry who offer services including manicures and pedicures and usually operate in salons, spas, resorts, or hotels. People in this position must have excellent interpersonal skills, as much of their job is to make their clients feel comfortable and well-taken care of. In addition, most nail technicians rely on repeat business from loyal customers to maintain their income, and so the most successful workers in this industry are excellent salespeople with high technical proficiency.

All nail technicians need to have some kind of technical training before they can begin offering their services professionally. Most often, these are not degree programs; rather, nail technicians must acquire several hundred hours of practical training (often between 300 and 600 hours) through a cosmetology school certified by their state's licensing board. Once technicians have completed the required number of training hours, they must pass an exam, and then they can begin working.

Beyond offering technical skills in nail care, nail technicians must also be able to provide excellent customer service. A large part of a good nail technician's job is making clients feel comfortable and relaxed while their nails are being groomed. Good communication with clients is key to establishing the kind of long-lasting relationships that lead to higher incomes.

Like other service industry workers, most nail technicians are paid by the hour rather than by annual salary, and most also receive tips from their clients in addition to their wages. Nail technicians who are interested in advancing their careers have a number of opportunities for learning new techniques through continuing education courses. Nail technicians with an interest in art and fashion may find more success than others by having an ongoing awareness of current trends that may appeal to high-end clients.

Career Specializations

In general, most nail technicians do not specialize in a particular aspect of caring for nails. For the purposes of becoming licensed, nail technicians must show technical proficiency in all aspects of the job: cleaning and moisturizing hands and feet, polishing nails, cleaning and filing nails, and creating nail art. Some nail technicians find becoming proficient in one technique may make them more desirable, but they must still be able to perform all of the general job requirements for most clients.

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Degree Levels

• High school diploma or GED: typically 4 years to complete

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Education and Certification Requirements

Nail technicians do not need anything higher than a GED or high school diploma to become licensed. However, all nail technicians must undergo some length of professional training before they can begin working with clients. These programs are offered in a number of formats, but most programs are offered by state-approved cosmetology schools. Over the course of several hundred hours of training, students learn a wide variety of skills and techniques that will be necessary for their careers.

Most nail technician programs will last between three and six months and cover a broad range of topics. Students learn, for example, the chemicals involved in nail work and how each is utilized. In addition, students practice basic skills for performing manicures, pedicures, and other nail procedures. Nail technicians must also be able to identify nail and skin diseases and disorders in order to effectively advise their clients to seek proper treatment. Many programs offer education in current nail art trends and how to assess what styles will look good on different clients as well.

These programs also emphasize the aspects of a career as a nail technician that do not deal with nails. Keeping your station and tools clean is one vital skill all successful nail technicians must have; in addition, business topics like attracting new clients and interviewing with employers may be covered. Communication skills are another important aspect of the job; successful nail technicians are able to make conversation with clients and keep them at ease while maintaining focus on providing excellent nail care.

All nail technicians must be certified by their state board before practicing professionally. The exact requirements for becoming a licensed nail technician vary by state; however, all states have a minimum number of training hours to be completed (usually between 300-600), and all candidates must pass a state-proctored test. Some states require that practicing nail technicians must also take continuing education courses throughout their careers. For requirements and guidelines specific to your state, contact your state's board of cosmetology.

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Salary Information

Most nail technicians receive hourly wages rather than salaries. Hourly pay varies depending on a number of factors, such as the size and location of the spa or salon where the manicurist works, how experienced they are, and any special or expensive techniques they can offer. Some salons may also offer bonuses for technicians who bring in new business. The best factor for increasing one's income as a nail technician, however, is to build a loyal customer base who regularly come in for service.

The median wage for cosmetologists, a field which includes nail technicians, is $11.13 an hour. With a 40-hour work week, this averages out to about $22,000 a year. Nail technicians who work in salons may work regular hours like those, but self-employed nail technicians can create more flexible work schedules. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

The job outlook for people who work in the personal appearance field is expected to be good and, jobs in this field are growing faster than the average, by about 19 percent. Competition for positions is fiercest at the most high-end salons, but opportunities should be plentiful for nail technicians just beginning their careers at entry-level positions. (BLS)

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Related Careers

People who are interested in pursuing a career in cosmetology, of which nail technician is one specialty, may enjoy a career in one of the other specialties that this field covers. Esthetics and skin care workers offer services to clients that include massage, facial treatments, and hair removal. This field of cosmetology is expected to grow quickly, and estheticians can earn much higher salaries than nail technicians: up to $40,000 a year, not including tips.

Barbers are another example of workers who fall under the cosmetology category. Barbers must undergo significantly more training than other personal appearance workers, often over 1000 hours. In their extensive training, barbers learn techniques for haircutting, hairstyling, dyeing, and shaving. Like nail technicians, barbers must pass state licensure requirements in order to begin working professionally.

For cosmetology workers who are looking to advance their careers, taking a position in spa management is a natural choice. This is one of the advantages for cosmetologists with an established clientele; if they decide to open their own spa facility, they will already have clients willing to follow them. However, the responsibilities of owning or managing a salon are extensive, so experienced cosmetologists should take that into account before moving into one of these positions. Spa managers are in charge of finances, human resources, customer relations, and all other aspects of running a business. The most qualified candidates for these positions will have achieved a certificate or degree in spa management in addition to experience in the field.

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