If doing nails is a passion of yours, becoming a nail tech could be considered invaluable to some. That said, in the real world, we all have bills to pay and things we want to get, so it makes sense you’d be wondering how much you could potentially make being a nail technician. After all, becoming a nail tech requires that you attend school and pass the state exam for your license, so before you invest in becoming one, it’s smart to know how much you could earn.
The amount that you can earn being a licensed nail tech will vary on a variety of factors, including whether you work for yourself or at a suite, spa, or salon, the city you live in, the years of experience you have, and your existing network and client list. That said, there are good averages based on statistics that could give you a better idea of how much you could actually make as a nail technician in the United States.
So, How Much Do Nail Technicians Actually Earn?
The biggest factor that will determine how much you’ll make being a nail technician is where you’re located in the United States. Not all nail tech jobs will look the same. Some nail techs only work part-time or during certain times of the year to make extra money. Others work overtime or build a larger network and can demand higher prices, exceeding the figures that are listed online. Nail techs with an entrepreneurial spirit will have a much bigger earning potential.
Figures for full-time nail technician pay will vary depending on what source you’re looking at. According to a website like Indeed — which averages over 8,000 salaries, a licensed nail technician in the United States can expect to earn around $57,000 per year. The highest-paying jobs are in major cities like San Antonio, Texas — where a nail technician can expect to make somewhere around $74,000 per year.
That said, that’s just an average, and on the higher end can make upwards of $130,000 per year, according to statistics. I personally know nail techs in Chicago that make anywhere from $150,000 – $200,000 every year! This can include tips, base pay, or commission. At some salons, techs even make more in tips and commissions than they do in base pay.
Nail techs will also make more money in places with a lower supply, as there aren’t enough licensed technicians to meet demand. Since it’s required to get your license, this means only people who pass the state exam can become nail techs.
Which Cities Pay The Best For Nail Technicians?
According to Indeed, Dayton, Ohio, is the most lucrative city for nail technicians in the United States, with the average salary coming in at around $87,000 per year. Boulder, Colorado, is next on the list, with a yearly salary of around $86,000 per year. Third on the list is the aforementioned San Antonio, Texas, with techs there earning around $74,000 per year.
It’s important to also keep in mind that these figures are merely averages, not a range of what you could potentially make as a tech. In some salons, commission for nail tech work can be between 50% – 60%, so it’s possible to calculate how much you’d make with this information at any given shop. Someone who only does nails on the side during the weekend or during certain holidays could only make $20,000 a year, while someone with their own network can make upwards of $200,000 a year, regardless of what city you live in!
Ultimately, the specific amount you will get paid will depend on a number of factors. Success, like owning or starting your own franchise of spas, can exponentially increase your earning potential. Nail tech schools that provide business courses, like A Plus Nail School in Illinois, can also give you the knowledge you need to improve how much you earn.
