Manicurist
Also known as: finger nail technician, nail technician
About this occupation
Manicurists provide fingernail care. They clean, cut and shape the nails, remove cuticles and apply polish. Manicurists apply artificial fingernails and other decorative items on nails. They advice on nail and hand care and sell specialised products.
Essential skills and knowledge
- conform to cosmetics regulatory requirements
- decorate nails
- work ergonomically
- maintain equipment
- skin types
- advise customers on usage of cosmetics
- shape nails
- cosmetic manicure
- cosmetics industry
- identify customer's needs
- cosmetic skin treatment
- apply nail polish
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Manicurists and Pedicurists (O*NET 39-5092.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
- Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush.
- Maintain supply inventories and records of client services.
- Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards.
- Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles.
- Prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning
US median pay: US$35,760 a year (2025), 152,770 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
- Skincare Specialists
- Barbers
- Shampooers
- Furniture Finishers
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.