by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 513 U.S. colleges awarded 14,526 degrees and certificates in Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing, rising to $26,912 after four years.
A major in Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist explores Nail Technician/specialist And Manicurist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Shape Fingernails And Toenails, Remove Unwanted Skin And Blemishes, Apply Polish And Cosmetics To Nails, And Function As Licensed Manicurists Or Nail Technicians/specialists. Includes Instruction In Manicuring Theory; Skin Anatomy; Nail Growth, Irregularities, And Diseases; Sterilization And Sanitation; Equipment And Table Maintenance; Cuticle, Blemish, And Rough Skin Removal; Nail Filing, Shaping, And Polishing; Cream Application And Extremity Massage; Nail Sculpture And Design Art; Product Storage And Use; Customer Service; Laws And Regulations; And Business Practices.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, nail technician/specialist & manicurist is a popular field of study, with 14,526 degrees awarded annually. 513 colleges award nail technician/specialist & manicurist degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 446.
By level, the 14,526 awards include 421 certificates and 10,912 master’s degrees.
Women earned 97% of nail technician/specialist & manicurist degrees and certificates in the latest year (14,100 of 14,526). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (5,958) and White (4,406), and international students earned 185.
The most common nail technician/specialist & manicurist credential is the master’s degree: 10,912 of the 14,526 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist call most for Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening and Service Orientation, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Arm-Hand Steadiness and Finger Dexterity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a nail technician/specialist & manicurist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 421 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,912 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist, at 49.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 49.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 35.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist, with an average median salary of $29,229; the strongest outlook belongs to Manicurists and Pedicurists, at 1.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Fingernail Sculpturer, Fingernail Sculptor, Fingernail Former and Licensed Nail Technician (Licensed Nail Tech).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist, at 268,468.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | 268,468 | 1.6% |
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing their program, $26,912 after four years and $22,624 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,621 |
| 4 years | $26,912 |
| 5 years | $22,624 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist, with a median salary of $29,229.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $29,229 |
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist has 12 similar majors in the Personal & Culinary Services field, which together award 118,692 degrees a year; the largest are Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (56,828), Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist (38,219) and Barbering/Barber (12,249). Browse all Personal & Culinary Services majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 56,828 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 38,219 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,249 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,592 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,499 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 2,242 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,479 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,259 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 546 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 374 |
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