If you have an affinity toward the amazing designs that nail technicians do on their client’s nails but also have a full-time job, you may have asked yourself whether becoming a nail technician could be a good side hustle. As it turns out, becoming a nail technician, even part-time, can be a lucrative job that will increase the amount of money you can make every year as a nail tech.
Before you start on your journey of becoming a nail tech, realize that you’ll need to attend a state-certified nail school and get your license by passing the state exam. Getting your nail technician license is required in all 50 states before you can start doing it professionally, even if you’re just doing it part-time or for a side gig. Before you pay for classes, make sure you’re getting your license from an accredited nail school.
We have more information on what to look for in our guide to becoming a nail tech.
How Much Money Can You Make Doing Nails On The Side?
The amount of money you can make being a nail tech will vary depending on a number of factors, like where you live and whether you work out of a salon or rent a suite and have your own client list. Typically, you can work at a salon part-time or on the weekends, with some salons providing a 50/50 or even a 60/40 split on services — meaning that the salon pays out 50% or 60% commission. You can make $250 or more per day pretty regularly for a full day of work, which is pretty good money for a part-time job.
Earning potential goes up even more if you have your own client list. Building a strong client list means that you’ll always be busy when you are working. If you rent out your own nail suite, you can negotiate prices and take a larger part of the profits. You can also split the cost of the suite rental with two to three other nail techs you know to save money. Without a good client list, you may experience downtime when working, which will reduce how much money you can make doing nails on the side.
Becoming A Nail Tech Is A Great Side Hustle
On top of earning a lot of money, being a nail tech in your spare time is also great for a lot of other reasons. Doing it as a side hustle is also incredibly flexible, and it’s possible to schedule your clients in advance and work it around your schedule. If you’re a single parent, student, or just working a full-time job, you can earn anywhere from $20,000 – $40,000 on top of your other job, depending on how many hours per week you invest. That said, this won’t be the case for every nail tech. How much you make depends on the salon you work at, the city or town you live in, and whether you have your own client list.
If you have a passion for nails, you’ll also be able to do something that you love and get paid to do it, which is everyone’s dream. In addition, you’ll get to work around other nail technicians and people who are passionate about nail art.
For weekend warriors, working shifts over the weekend can earn you extra money to cover bills, daycare, or other regular expenses that you need to take care of. Keep in mind getting your education is an investment, and some nail schools will do a better job with career placement than others. For example, APlus Nail School regularly holds career days, connecting nail tech graduates with local salons and spas.
