by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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. Read on to learn the important information every nail technician/specialist & manicurist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nail technician/specialist & manicurist programs.
Across the country, nail technician/specialist & manicurist is a popular field of study, with 14,442 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist Schools ranking analyzes these 518 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nail technician/specialist & manicurist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nail technician/specialist & manicurist programs later in this article.
Studies in Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nail technician/specialist & manicurist graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a nail technician/specialist & manicurist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nail technician/specialist & manicurist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nail technician/specialist & manicurist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 978 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,088 |
People currently working in careers related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nail technician/specialist & manicurist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in nail technician/specialist & manicurist can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nail technician/specialist & manicurist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | 268,468 | 1.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of nail technician/specialist & manicurist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nail technician/specialist & manicurist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nail technician/specialist & manicurist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $29,229 |
With 518 different nail technician/specialist & manicurist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nail technician/specialist & manicurist school rankings to help you.
Those considering nail technician/specialist & manicurist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
