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Nail Technology and Manicuring: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Nail Technology and Manicuring is a specialized training program designed to equip individuals with the technical expertise and professional competencies required to excel in the beauty and wellness industry. This curriculum emphasizes both artistic expression and scientific understanding, preparing students to deliver safe, effective, and aesthetically refined nail care services while adhering to health regulations and industry standards.

  • Manicuring Theory: Foundational principles governing nail care techniques, client assessment, and service delivery protocols.
  • Skin Anatomy and Physiology: In-depth study of the structure and function of the skin, particularly in the hands and feet, to support safe and effective treatments.
  • Nail Growth, Irregularities, and Diseases: Identification and management of common nail conditions, including infections, deformities, and systemic indicators reflected in nail health.
  • Sterilization and Sanitation Procedures: Comprehensive training in infection control, disinfection methods, and compliance with health department regulations.
  • Equipment and Workstation Maintenance: Proper care, cleaning, and organization of tools, tables, and salon environments to ensure hygiene and longevity.
  • Cuticle, Blemish, and Rough Skin Removal: Techniques for gentle, precise removal of dead tissue using both manual and chemical methods.
  • Nail Filing, Shaping, and Polishing: Mastery of form, contour, and finish through precision filing and the application of polish and top coats.
  • Cream Application and Extremity Massage: Incorporating nourishing treatments and therapeutic massage to enhance circulation and client relaxation.
  • Nail Sculpture and Design Art: Advanced skills in building nail extensions, creating artistic designs, and using gel, acrylic, and other specialty products.
  • Product Storage and Usage: Knowledge of formulation, shelf life, compatibility, and safe handling of cosmetic and chemical products.
  • Customer Service and Client Relations: Strategies for building rapport, managing expectations, and delivering personalized, professional experiences.
  • Laws, Regulations, and Ethics: Understanding state licensing requirements, professional conduct standards, and legal responsibilities within the nail care field.
  • Business Practices and Entrepreneurship: Core elements of salon operations, pricing models, marketing, and client retention for independent practitioners.

Nail Technology and Manicuring Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

14,442
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
518
Universities & Colleges
1
Career Pathways

Nail Technology and Manicuring Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Nail Technology and Manicuring degrees, including Manicurists and Pedicurists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 147,820 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Manicurists and Pedicurists 39-5092 $34,660 $27,910 - $47,990 147,820 $16.66

Nail Technology and Manicuring Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $25,980 in South Carolina to $60,950 in Kentucky—a 135% difference. The highest-paying states include Kentucky, Maine, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 147,820 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Nail Technology and Manicuring by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering Nail Technology and Manicuring programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Nail Technology and Manicuring is found at NUC University (NUC) (541 graduates), Asian-American International Beauty College (AAIBC) (303 graduates), Advance Beauty College (197 graduates), Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics Skin Care & Makeup (187 graduates), and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences, Summerlin (181 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,028 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
NUC University (NUC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
541 Bayamon, Puerto Rico Private nuc.edu
Asian-American International Beauty College (AAIBC)
Other Award
303 Westminster, California Private aabeautycollege.com
Advance Beauty College
Other Award
197 Garden Grove, California Private advancebeautycollege.com
Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics Skin Care & Makeup
Residency
187 New York, New York Private christinevalmy.com
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences
Other Award
181 Las Vegas, Nevada Private lincolntech.edu
My Le's Beauty College
Other Award
165 Sacramento, California Private mylebeautycollegeinc.com
Cameo College of Essential Beauty
Other Award
163 Murray, Utah Private cameocollege.com
Total Image Beauty Academy
Other Award
153 Union City, New Jersey Private tiba.edu
Jupiter Beauty Academy
Residency
151 Boston, Massachusetts Private jba.edu
Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
Residency
151 Columbus, Ohio Private masonanthony.com
Evergreen Beauty and Barber College
Other Award
141 Everett, Washington Private evergreenbeauty.edu
Top Nails & Hair Beauty School
Other Award
136 Taylorsville, Utah Private topbeautyschoolutah.com
La Belle Beauty School
Residency
120 Hialeah, Florida Private labellebeauty.net
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology
Other Award
118 Grand Prairie, Texas Private tintcosmetologyschools.com
Ogden-Weber Technical College
Other Award
117 Ogden, Utah Public otech.edu
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
Other Award
117 Indianapolis, Indiana Private tricociuniversity.edu
Coastline Beauty College
Other Award
101 Fountain Valley, California Private coastlinebeauty.edu
Advantage Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
98 San Juan, Puerto Rico Private adtecpr.com
Georgia Career Institute (GCI)
Other Award
97 Conyers, Georgia Private gci.edu
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Other Award
96 El Paso, Texas Private milaninstitute.edu
Milan Institute
Other Award
95 San Antonio, Texas Private milaninstitute.edu
Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute
Residency
95 Bethpage, New York Private nailskinhairinstitute.edu
Crave Beauty Academy
Other Award
87 Wichita, Kansas Private cravebeautyacademy.com
Renaissance Academie
Other Award
84 Provo, Utah Private race.edu
Davis Technical College (DATC)
Other Award
83 Kaysville, Utah Public davistech.edu
La Belle Beauty Academy
Residency
83 Miami, Florida Private labellebeauty.net
Mountainland Technical College (MTECH)
Other Award
82 Lehi, Utah Public mtec.edu
Turning Point Beauty College
Other Award
81 Chandler, Arizona Private turningpointbeauty.com
Instituto Educativo Premier
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
81 Ponce, Puerto Rico Private premierponce.net
South Dade Technical College
Residency
80 HOMESTEAD, Florida Public southdadetech.edu
Manatee Technical College (MTC)
Residency
77 Bradenton, Florida Public manateetech.edu
Genesis Career College
Other Award
77 Cookeville, Tennessee Private genesiscareer.edu
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
Residency
77 Casselberry, Florida Private hi.edu
Bellus Academy
Other Award
75 Chula Vista, California Private bellusacademy.edu
Milan Institute
Other Award
75 Bakersfield, California Private milaninstitute.edu
International Beauty Education Center (IBEC)
Other Award
75 Airway Heights, Washington Private spokanebeautyschool.com
Latin Beauty Academy
Residency
74 greenacres, Florida Private latinbeautyacademy.edu
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
Residency
73 Hollywood, Florida Private hi.edu
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Other Award
72 San Antonio, Texas Private milaninstitute.edu
Milan Institute
Other Award
67 Visalia, California Private milaninstitute.edu
Elaine Sterling Institute (ESI)
Other Award
66 Atlanta, Georgia Private elainesterling.com
Palm Beach State College (PBSC)
Residency
65 Lake Worth, Florida Public palmbeachstate.edu
Northwest College
Residency
65 Springfield, Oregon Private nwcollege.edu
Hollywood Institute
Residency
64 Margate, Florida Private hi.edu
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Other Award
64 Reno, Nevada Private milaninstitute.edu
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
Residency
64 West Palm Beach, Florida Private hi.edu
Vogue College of Cosmetology
Other Award
63 McAllen, Texas Private vogue.edu
Pensacola State College (PSC)
Residency
61 Pensacola, Florida Public pensacolastate.edu
My Le's Beauty College
Other Award
61 Gretna, Louisiana Private mylebeautycollegellc.com
Grace International Beauty School (GIBS)
Residency
61 Flushing, New York Private gibs.edu
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology
Other Award
60 San Marcos, California Private pic.edu
International College of Cosmetology (ICOC)
Other Award
60 Oakland, California Private icoc.edu
California College of Barbering and Cosmetology
Other Award
60 Stockton, California Private calcbc.com
Olympian Academy of Cosmetology
Other Award
59 LAS CRUCES, New Mexico Private olympianacademy.edu
Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc
Other Award
58 Alliance, Ohio Private raphaelsbeautyschool.edu
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology
Residency
Other Award
57 Dayton, Ohio Private creativeimages.edu
American Beauty Schools
Residency
57 Miami, Florida Private americanbeautyschools.com
Florida Barber Academy
Residency
56 Plantation, Florida Private floridabarberacademy.edu
Casal Institute of Nevada
Other Award
55 Las Vegas, Nevada Private avedalasvegas.com
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology
Other Award
55 Boise, Idaho Private oliverfinley.com
Salon Success Academy
Other Award
54 Riverside, California Private salonsuccessacademy.com
International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy (ISSNMT)
Other Award
54 Sandy Springs, Georgia Private issnmtschool.com
Long Island Beauty School
Residency
54 Hauppauge, New York Private libs.edu
M-DCPS The English Center (TEC)
Residency
54 Miami, Florida Public tecmiami.com
Milan Institute
Other Award
54 Clovis, California Private milaninstitute.edu
Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy
Other Award
53 Tampa, Florida Private artistic.edu
Diamond Beauty College
Other Award
53 South El Monte, California Private diamondbeauty.edu
Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology
Other Award
52 Pine Brook, New Jersey Private christinevalmy.com
American Educational College (AEC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
51 Bayamon, Puerto Rico Private amedcopr.com
Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC)
Residency
51 Uniontown, Ohio Public plcc.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Other Award
51 Modesto, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Tooele Technical College (TTECH)
Other Award
51 Tooele, Utah Public tooeletech.edu
Vogue College of Cosmetology
Other Award
51 San Antonio, Texas Private vogue.edu
American Beauty School
Residency
50 Bronx, New York Private americanbeautyschool.edu
UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (UCAS)
Other Award
50 Harlingen, Texas Private ucastx.com
Clary Sage College
Other Award
50 Tulsa, Oklahoma Private clarysagecollege.com
Elite School of Cosmetology
Other Award
50 Norwalk, Ohio Private es.edu
Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design
Other Award
49 Newark, Delaware Private schillingdouglas.edu
Paul Mitchell the School
Residency
48 North Haven, Connecticut Private paulmitchell.edu
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers
Other Award
48 Chattanooga, Tennessee Private chattanoogacollege.edu
Capilo School of Hair Design
Residency
48 Augusta, Maine Private capilo.com
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Other Award
48 Reno, Nevada Private paulmitchell.edu
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA)
Residency
47 Tonawanda, New York Private tspabuffalo.com
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Other Award
46 Boise, Idaho Private paulmitchell.edu
Summit Salon Academy
Other Award
46 Perrysburg, Ohio Private summitsalonacademyperrysburg.edu
Pro Beauty Academy
Other Award
46 Edison, New Jersey Private probeautyacademy.com
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Other Award
45 Richland, Washington Private paulmitchell.edu
Xtylo Beauty College
Other Award
44 Tolleson, Arizona Private xtylocollege.com
House of Heavilin Beauty College
Other Award
43 Blue Springs, Missouri Private kc-hair.com
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools
Other Award
43 West New York, New Jersey Private robertfiance.edu
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology
Residency
43 Dayton, Ohio Private creativeimages.edu
Vogue College of Cosmetology
Other Award
43 San Antonio, Texas Private vogue.edu
New England Hair Academy
Residency
41 Malden, Massachusetts Private newenglandhairacademy.com
Celebrity School of Beauty
Residency
41 Miami, Florida Private celebrity.edu
Kaizen Beauty Academy
Residency
41 Pembroke Pines, Florida Private kba.edu
Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)
Other Award
40 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public matc.edu
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA)
Other Award
40 Nampa, Idaho Private tspanampa.com
Central Texas Beauty College (CTBC)
Other Award
40 Temple, Texas Private centraltexasbeautycollege.com
PJ's College of Cosmetology
Other Award
39 Bowling Green, Kentucky Private gotopjs.com
San Jacinto Community College
Other Award
39 Pasadena, Texas Public sanjac.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Nail Technology and Manicuring programs

How much can I earn with a Nail Technology and Manicuring degree?

Salaries for Nail Technology and Manicuring graduates vary by role and location. Manicurists and Pedicurists earn a median of $34,660 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Kentucky average $60,950 compared to $25,980 in South Carolina. Approximately 147,820 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Nail Technology and Manicuring programs?

Currently 518 accredited institutions offer Nail Technology and Manicuring degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include NUC University (NUC) (541 graduates), Asian-American International Beauty College (AAIBC) (303 graduates), and Advance Beauty College (197 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Nail Technology and Manicuring growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6,559 in 2010 to 14,442 in 2023-24. This represents a 120% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Nail Technology and Manicuring degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Manicurists and Pedicurists. Related occupations employ approximately 147,820 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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