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In today’s job market, salary remains a top priority for professionals across all demographics, including nail technicians. Understanding the average pay for nail technicians in various states is crucial for career planning and negotiations.
While individual salaries can vary based on factors like experience, location, and the specific salon or spa, we’ve compiled comprehensive data on average salaries for nail technicians in each state, categorized by seniority level. These figures offer a valuable reference point for what you can expect to earn in your area.
So, which state boasts the highest salary for nail technicians in 2026? According to our findings, that honor goes to Michigan.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for nail technician salaries:
To gain insights into how nail technician salaries fluctuate nationwide, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides average pay insights by state.
We also adjusted these salaries according to the cost of living in each state—acknowledging that a salary in North Carolina holds different purchasing power compared to one in California.
Now, let’s delve into the methodology behind our salary calculations and explore a detailed ranking of all the states.
How We Determined Nail Technician Pay By State
We used the average annual salary data for nail technicians sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’
To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we factored in the cost of living in each state.
We then calculated an index by dividing the average wage for a state by the cost of living relative to the national average. For example, with a cost of living index of 135.9 and an average pay of $32,420 in California, the index value is:
$32,420 * (100 / 135.9) = $23,855
We ranked each state based on this index, identifying the state with the highest value as offering the best average salary for nail technicians.
Detailed List Of Nail Technician Salaries By State
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary | Average Wage | Cost Of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $49,786 | $44,310 | 89.0 |
| 2 | Montana | $40,813 | $41,140 | 100.8 |
| 3 | Idaho | $39,424 | $36,310 | 92.1 |
| 4 | Kansas | $38,464 | $34,580 | 89.9 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $37,718 | $32,400 | 85.9 |
| 6 | Washington | $36,825 | $38,740 | 105.2 |
| 7 | Arizona | $36,061 | $35,340 | 98.0 |
| 8 | Illinois | $34,862 | $32,980 | 94.6 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $34,320 | $31,060 | 90.5 |
| 10 | Colorado | $34,267 | $35,570 | 103.8 |
| 11 | Delaware | $33,915 | $34,390 | 101.4 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $33,831 | $30,990 | 91.6 |
| 13 | Missouri | $33,639 | $30,410 | 90.4 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $32,907 | $30,900 | 93.9 |
| 15 | South Dakota | $32,748 | $33,960 | 103.7 |
| 16 | Arkansas | $32,112 | $27,970 | 87.1 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $32,080 | $29,450 | 91.8 |
| 18 | Vermont | $31,998 | $38,750 | 121.1 |
| 19 | Florida | $31,993 | $31,450 | 98.3 |
| 20 | Indiana | $31,754 | $28,420 | 89.5 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $31,616 | $29,530 | 93.4 |
| 22 | Virginia | $31,359 | $31,610 | 100.8 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $29,888 | $26,720 | 89.4 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $29,573 | $29,810 | 100.8 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $29,535 | $28,590 | 96.8 |
| 26 | Ohio | $29,434 | $27,610 | 93.8 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $29,418 | $34,420 | 117.0 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $28,991 | $25,860 | 89.2 |
| 29 | Maine | $28,745 | $31,850 | 110.8 |
| 30 | Oregon | $28,503 | $32,950 | 115.6 |
| 31 | Texas | $27,783 | $25,200 | 90.7 |
| 32 | Georgia | $27,461 | $25,100 | 91.4 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $24,714 | $25,060 | 101.4 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $24,610 | $30,000 | 121.9 |
| 35 | Maryland | $24,254 | $30,440 | 125.5 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | $24,145 | $32,210 | 133.4 |
| 37 | California | $23,855 | $32,420 | 135.9 |
| 38 | Nevada | $23,785 | $24,570 | 103.3 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $23,755 | $22,520 | 94.8 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $22,966 | $27,720 | 120.7 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $22,631 | $22,450 | 99.2 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $22,545 | $28,790 | 127.7 |
| 43 | Alaska | $22,219 | $29,130 | 131.1 |
| 44 | New York | $22,183 | $29,060 | 131.0 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $18,469 | $31,010 | 167.9 |
In conclusion, the landscape for nail technicians in 2026 reflects a dynamic labor market with varying salaries across states. By understanding the average earnings and cost of living adjustments, nail technicians can make informed decisions about their careers and where to work. This guide serves as a resource for those looking to navigate their professional journey in the nail care industry.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
