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How to hire a nail technician

Nail technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring nail technicians in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a nail technician is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new nail technician to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a nail technician, step by step

To hire a nail technician, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a nail technician, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step nail technician hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a nail technician job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new nail technician
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a nail technician do?

Nail technicians are beauty specialists that provide grooming services to a client's fingernails and toenails. They are trained proficiently in filling, cleaning, and grooming as well as various nail treatments. They can either work in salons, nail studios, spas, or can be self-employed. Their duties include providing high-quality manicures and pedicures, applying artificial nails, and recommending different nail art and designs to the client. Also, they advise clients on proper nail care and provide quality hand and foot massages. Additionally, they ensure that the nail instruments and equipment are sanitized, and work stations are neat and orderly.

Learn more about the specifics of what a nail technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The nail technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A nail technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, nail technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list presents nail technician salaries for various positions.

    Type of Nail TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Nail TechnicianManicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.$8-25
    CosmetologistA cosmetologist specializes in offering various services ranging from haircuts, makeup, skin and hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, and even shaving beards. They must have extensive knowledge and experience on the subject, plus keep up with current trends... Show more$12-25
    TechnicianTechnicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more$11-27
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Work Ethic
    • Customer Service
    • Cleanliness
    • Cosmetology
    • TIP
    • Repeat Business
    • Retail Products
    • Retail Sales
    • Product Knowledge
    • Spa Services
    • Skin Care
    • Excellent Guest
    • State Board
    • Scheduling Appointments
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Diagnose and repair pool/spa equipment including pumps, heaters, and electrical circuits -repair plumbing -test water quality for pools/spas
    • Apply facials and make up.
    • Apply top, bottom, and finishing coats.
    • Plumb pool and hot tub equipment using PVC.
    • Confer with management to resolve problems and coordinate activities.
    • Skin care: facials, microdermabrasion, peels, lymphatic drainage, waxing.
    More nail technician duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your nail technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A nail technician can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, nail technicians' average salary in alabama is 41% less than in maryland.
    • Seniority. Entry-level nail technicians 68% less than senior-level nail technicians.
    • Certifications. A nail technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a nail technician's salary.

    Average nail technician salary

    $14.66hourly

    $30,503 yearly

    Entry-level nail technician salary
    $17,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average nail technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$36,627$18
    2Minnesota$35,725$17
    3Arizona$35,090$17
    4California$34,140$16
    5North Carolina$31,576$15
    6District of Columbia$31,521$15
    7Wisconsin$31,222$15
    8Texas$30,975$15
    9Florida$30,632$15
    10Colorado$30,582$15
    11Illinois$28,546$14
    12Nevada$25,684$12

    Average nail technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1J.F. Shea Co$50,424$24.242
    2Geisinger Medical Center$48,313$23.23
    3Kohler Co.$46,919$22.5615
    4Mayo Clinic$46,370$22.292
    5Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited$37,440$18.00
    6HEI Hotels & Resorts$36,312$17.46
    7The Walt Disney Company$35,327$16.981
    8McMenamins Pubs & Breweries$35,316$16.983
    9Noble House Hotels & Resorts$34,874$16.77
    10The Sage Group$34,519$16.60
    11Salon & Spa$33,625$16.17
    12Bright Futures Scholarship Program$33,561$16.14
    13OneSpaWorld$33,561$16.1417
    14Rancho Santa Fe Open$33,561$16.14
    15Prose$33,560$16.13
    16The Cliffs Resort$33,550$16.13
    17Wycliffe Golf & Country Club$32,376$15.571
    18Ladies & Gentlemen Salons / Brown Aveda Institute$32,338$15.55
    19Soothe$32,255$15.51
    20Aimbridge Hospitality$32,198$15.48
  4. Writing a nail technician job description

    A good nail technician job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a nail technician job description:

    Nail technician job description example

    This position has a competitive wage , depending on experience. All eligible full-time regular employees are also offered great benefits , including medical, dental, vision, a 401 (k) retirement savings plan, holiday pay, vacation time, paid time off (PTO), short-term disability, life insurance, AD&D, free parking, and free meals . If this sounds like the right opportunity for you to dive deeper into the hospitality industry, consider applying to join our exceptional team today!

    ABOUT FISHER ISLAND CLUB HOTEL & RESORT

    Accessible only by ferryboat or private yacht, our boutique property is comprised of a collection of just 15 graciously appointed historic and reimagined cottages, villas, and guesthouse suites that surround the now-iconic limestone and marble Vanderbilt Mansion mere steps from the beach, pool, spa, restaurants, and marina. Our private membership-only club boasts a beach club with one of the country's only genuinely secluded beaches, a 15-room all-suite luxury hotel, an award-winning championship golf course, 17 tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, two deep-water marinas, a variety of casual and formal dining venues, a spa, a salon, a fitness center, the Vanderbilt Theater, an aviary with over a dozen exotic birds, and an observatory for stargazing. No other Miami resort or hotel offers the type of world-class luxury and 5-star level of service that we do.

    It is the superior service and attention to detail that our staff provides to our residents, members, and hotel guests that distinguishes us from other private clubs. That's why we consider the health and well-being of our staff members to be one of our highest priorities. In addition to competitive wages , we are pleased to offer a variety of excellent benefits and career growth opportunities .

    We are looking for a Nail Technician to provide nail care treatments to our customers based on their needs and preferences.

    Nail Technician responsibilities include polishing fingernails and toenails, painting designs, and applying gel and acrylic nails. If you're up-to-date with nail art techniques and know-how to provide excellent customer service, we'd like to meet you.

    Ultimately, you will help us boost our reputation by offering personalized services to our clients.

    Requirements
    • Proven work experience as a Nail Technician, Manicurist, or similar role
    • Expertise in basic and advanced nail techniques, including french manicures, airbrushing, and gel manicures
    • Knowledge of cosmetology trends
    • Understanding of sanitation and sterilization standards
    • Experience in customer service
    • High school diploma
    • Certification in Cosmetology or Nail Art is a plus


    This description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances (changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, emergencies, or technological developments) change.

    Equal employment opportunity - Drug free workplace

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find nail technicians for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your nail technician job on Zippia to find and recruit nail technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting nail technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new nail technician

    Once you have selected a candidate for the nail technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new nail technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a nail technician?

Before you start to hire nail technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire nail technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $30,503 per year for a nail technician, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for nail technicians in the US typically range between $8 and $25 an hour.

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