How long is nail tech school?

Nail tech school takes on average between three to six months to complete. This includes 300 to 600 hours of coursework and training from start to completion of nail tech school. This also depends on if the student chooses to attend nail tech school on a full-time or part-time status. Attending a nail tech school full-time or part-time is the decision that will most dictate how long a nail tech school takes to finish.

How much is nail technician school?

Nail technician school costs an estimated $3,000 to $5,000 in the United States. While this is the general range, some nail tech schools can cost as much as $9,000 to attend. This money normally goes to only your tuition, but in some schools, a portion of it can be devoted to textbooks and supplies.

Nail Technician Education Requirements And Courses

Q: What degree do you need to be a nail technician?

Although there is no degree required to become a nail technician, aspiring nail technicians do need to complete a certificate in cosmetology. Most programs require you to be at least 16 years old and hold a GED or be a high school graduate. However, there are some programs offered through high schools and junior colleges that can be begun while pursuing a high school diploma.

Nail technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, nail technicians don't need a college education. The most common degree for nail technicians is high school diploma with 28% graduates, with only 27% nail technician graduates earning bachelor's degree. Nail technicians who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Georgia State University. Some good skills to have in this position include work ethic, customer service and cleanliness.

Popular nail technician certifications include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), or Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA). To improve nail technician qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in nail technician education paths.

What education do you need to become a nail technician?

What degree do you need to be a nail technician?

The most common degree for nail technicians is high school diploma, with 28% of nail technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 25%.

High School Diploma, 28%

Bachelor's, 27%

Associate, 25%

Diploma, 11%

Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a nail technician?

You should major in cosmetology to become a nail technician. 39% of nail technicians major in cosmetology. Other common majors for a nail technician include business and general studies.

Cosmetology, 39%

Business, 16%

General Studies, 5%

Nursing, 4%

Other Majors, 36%

Best majors for nail technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Cosmetology	39.4%
2	Business	16.0%
3	General Studies	5.3%
4	Nursing	3.9%
5	Accounting	3.8%

Show more common nail technician majors

20 best online courses for nail technicians

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How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

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20. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

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Average nail technician salary by education level

According to our data, nail technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $33,507 annually. Nail technicians with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $33,276.

Nail technician education level	Nail technician salary
High School Diploma or Less	$33,021
Bachelor's Degree	$33,507
No Education	$30,989
Some College/ Associate Degree	$33,276

Nail technician education requirements

What education do you need to become a nail technician?

What degree do you need to be a nail technician?

What should I major in to become a nail technician?

Best majors for nail technicians

20 best online courses for nail technicians

Average nail technician salary by education level

Nail technician education FAQs

How long is nail tech school?

How much is nail technician school?

What degree do you need to be a nail technician?

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