As an aspiring nail technician, you get to turn your passion for manicures into a successful career. But just how far can you take it – and how much can you make? 

With a little hard work and the right approach to starting your career, you can find the path to success in the beauty industry as a nail tech or even a salon owner. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know, from average hourly wages to the costs of opening your own nail salon. 

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How Much Do Nail Techs Make an Hour?

According to Indeed, the average nail tech makes about $23 per hour, or an average salary of $56,983 per year. Hourly wages and yearly salaries vary widely depending on the type of salon you work at, its location, and your clientele. For example, if you work on a busy street in a high-end neighborhood, you’ll almost definitely earn more than someone working in a small town. 

If you run your own business, a big perk is that you write your own paychecks – but you can’t just add as many zeroes as you want. Salon owners have to pay rent, utilities, and employee wages to keep the business running. And these overhead costs add up. You have more freedom as an owner, but you have to organize your finances accordingly.

Overwhelmed? Let GlossGenius take the weight off your shoulders. It centralizes everything from financial tools to appointment scheduling, streamlining your most essential operations (and saving you time in the process).

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!

10 High-Paying U.S. States for Nail Technicians

Curious about what locations pay the most? State-specific trends, cost of living, and customer demand all impact how much you earn. If you’re thinking about where to start or expanding your career, here are 10 of the highest-paying states for nail techs:

1. Maine: $85,153 per year
2. Hawaii: $71,866 per year
3. Georgia: $70,714 per year
4. Washington: $69,877 per year
5. Montana: $67,052 per year
6. Rhode Island: $65,938 per year
7. Massachusetts: $63,392 per year
8. Louisiana: $62,939 per year
9. Connecticut: $62,279 per year
10. Oregon: $61,910 per year

4 Tips for Increasing Your Income as a Nail Tech

Here are a few tips to help you really stand out from the crowd and grow your income: 

1. Get creative: Stay up to date with nail care industry trends and techniques to keep your nail services fresh and exciting – think 3D nail designs, kid-focused treatments, or complimentary snacks and sweets. A client can find manicurists and pedicurists anywhere, but can they find one that offers your unique services? Providing specialized offerings means you can raise prices accordingly. 
2. Boost your social media presence: If you don’t already have a social media account for your business, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to broadcast your brand and attract a wider audience. Establish and grow your online presence on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, where visuals play a major role. Think of social media as a showcase to highlight your professional nail care skills, pulling clients in. 
3. Get mobile: Convenience is king. By offering mobile nail services, you can reach clients who may not have time for a salon visit. Simply pack your portable nail kit in your vehicle and set up shop right in your client’s home or workplace. While it might take time to set up a moving shop, you can make more money later because people will pay for convenience.
4. Upsell with add-ons: This is a sales technique where you encourage clients to purchase extra services or more expensive options. Suggest enticing add-on services like sparkling gel finishes, seasonal nail art, and luxurious mani-pedi packages. Upselling your nail services helps increase revenue and build deeper client loyalty by offering more personalized care. 

Top Factors To Consider When Opening A Nail Salon

Being a nail tech is rewarding, but evolving from solo artist to salon owner lets you further your passion for beauty and wellness – and turn it into a thriving business. And research shows that the hair and nail industry is growing fast, meaning it’s a great time to dive in. 

That said, launching a successful nail salon involves more than just purchasing a few plush chairs and glossy polishes. There are several essential factors to consider before your grand opening:

• Location: Consider setting up shop in a busy area to catch the eye of potential walk-ins. Choose a spot where prospective customers are likely to spend time, like a shopping district or downtown center. 
• Licenses and permits: Besides getting your nail tech license, you’ll need the proper business licenses and permits. Check with your city or state to find out what you need to do.
• Insurance: Chat with a local insurance broker who knows the ins and outs of the service industry. They can help you cover all the bases with general liability, workers’ compensation, and any additional coverage you may need.
• Staff: Unless you work out of your home, you’ll need to bring on a few employees. Hire enough staff to handle daily needs, especially during peak hours. Post job openings on Indeed, LinkedIn, and social media, and don’t shy away from asking for referrals from other nail pros. 
• Booking software: Tools like GlossGenius are perfect for keeping all your client info in one spot. Access self-employment resources, financial assistance, and all the marketing and booking tools you need to grow your business. 

What Are the Costs of Opening a Nail Salon?

Startup costs vary, depending on whether you’re opening a new nail salon or setting up shop in an existing location. Below are some typical expenses you can expect to rack up for either a new or rebranded location.

Taking Over an Existing Salon 

This option is attractive because it comes with an established clientele, existing equipment, and a location already fit for salon use (in other words, it saves you time and money). Here are some typical costs:

• Monthly rent: $2,000–$10,000 (up to $15,000 in busy metro areas)
• Buyout of current salon: The cost varies widely, so consult current listings and brokers.
• Remodeling: $15,000–$32,000
• Equipment and furniture: $2,000–$15,000 
• Inventory: $500–$3,000
• Insurance: $500–$1,500 
• Nail Tech License: $100–$500
• Training and certification: $500–$5,000
• Marketing: $500–$10,000
• Legal or consulting fees: $1,000
• Additional costs: This varies based on specific updates and changes you plan to make.

Estimated Total Costs: $40,000–$250,000

Starting a New Salon

Starting a new salon from scratch allows for complete customization, giving you the freedom to build the business of your dreams. The catch? It’s expensive. Costs include:

• Monthly rent: $2,000–$10,000  (as high as $15,000 in busy metro areas)
• Leasehold improvements: $32,000–$400,000 (depending on the extent of renovations)
• Equipment and furniture: $10,000–$50,000 
• Initial supplies and inventory: $6,000–$12,000
• Insurance: $500–$1,500 
• Nail Tech License: $100–$500
• Training and certification: $500–$5,000
• Marketing: $500–$10,000
• Legal or consulting fees: $1,000
• Additional costs: This varies based on location, design choices, and technology needs.

Estimated Total Costs: $100,000–$500,000 

Regardless of your chosen path, consider additional ongoing costs like salon loans, self-employment taxes, financing, insurance, staffing, and POS software. You’ll want to make a detailed business plan to cover all the financial aspects of starting a salon. 

How Profitable Is A Nail Salon?

According to Grand View Research, the market size of beauty salons was $155.60 billion (yes, with a “b”!) in 2022, and it’ll only keep growing from there. This means that opening a salon is generally profitable. But don’t let the numbers fool you – making money takes work. 

To ensure healthy profit margins as a nail salon owner, make a business plan that includes both day-to-day operations and marketing strategies. Here are three areas to focus on:

1. A salon website: A beautiful, user-friendly website with online booking capabilities drives more business and creates a polished (pardon the pun) customer experience.
2. Social media marketing: Even if you can’t run social media ads right away, take the time to post organically and engage with your followers. Share your stunning nail art to draw in new clients and spark referrals. 
3. Salon software: Say goodbye to the hassle of manually juggling bookings and payments. With software like GlossGenius, managing appointments, sending reminders, and staying connected with clients is as easy as doing basic manicures. It frees up your time to focus on what you love – making clients feel fabulous.

Top Components To Look for in Salon Software

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Choosing the right salon software can drastically streamline business operations. GlossGenius has all the essential features you need to thrive, plus extras like custom card readers, an intuitive website, and instant payouts.

Here are the top components to look for in salon software:

• Automated client reminders: Nobody likes a no-show. GlossGenius sends out automated client reminders so your clients remember their appointments (hey, life gets busy). Plus, it’s a simple way to reduce those last-minute cancellations. 
• Easy rebookings: In the beauty industry, every minute counts. With GlossGenius, you can quickly copy over previous bookings for repeat clients, and even set automatic rebooking reminders for clients, saving both you and your customers time.
• Marketing tools: Want to keep clients coming back? GlossGenius has email and text marketing features that let you send birthday wishes, special deals, and even anniversary reminders. It’s those small, personal touches that boost customer loyalty. 
• Custom-designed website: Make a great first impression with a branded website. A professional website enhances credibility and makes it super easy for clients to find and book with you online.
• Employee accounts: If you’ve got a team, everyone gets access to your software. GlossGenius lets you add employees and even give people different levels of access depending on their roles. This means your nail techs can stay organized and manage their schedules without stepping on each other’s toes.
• Low payment processing fee: GlossGenius offers one of the lowest payment processing fees in the industry at 2.6%. More savings for you means more to invest back into what you love doing.
• Inventory management: Running low on your best-selling polish? GlossGenius’ inventory management tools keep track of your stock levels so you’re always caught up. 

Client management: From the moment a client books an appointment to their next visit, making a great impression is a nail salon’s top priority. With GlossGenius, managing client relationships is simple so you can keep those appointments rolling in.

Start Your Salon Business With GlossGenius

Starting a nail salon or jumping into a full-time cosmetology career as a licensed nail technician is a thrilling ride. But like any rollercoaster, it helps to have a friend. That’s where GlossGenius comes in.

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!

Our all-in-one platform is made for go-getting nail techs and salon owners just like you, helping you nail it (literally) every step of the way. Try GlossGenius free for 14 days.