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.
Nail technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real nail technician resumes:
- 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.
- Wire and install hot tub packs and also troubleshoot electrical problems with spa packs.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair both in-ground and above-ground pools, spas and saunas.
- Check chemicals, clean, and also fix everything from crack PVC pipes to broken pump motors.
- Prepare clients for cosmetology services.
- Maintain excellent cleanliness and sanitation skills, and excellent communication skills.
- Repair leaking plumbing, and repair or replace malfunctioning electrical equipment.
- Experience of maintaining reception /salon area with relevance to cleanliness and organization.
- Provide cosmetology consulting and propose solution to insure client satisfaction, value for service.
- Make up applications, formal styling's, cut, and color with Redken product's.
Nail technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Nail Technicians are proficient in Work Ethic, Customer Service, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Dexterity, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Nail Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 14%
Lead through example with consistent work ethic, attitude, and professionalism.
- Customer Service, 12%
Manage own clientele database performing customer services and maintain relationships to develop and grow business through repeat business and referrals.
- Cleanliness, 12%
Improved standard of cleanliness with high regard to sanitation utilizing Autoclave sterilization.
- Cosmetology, 10%
Exercised and practiced proper sanitation and disinfecting procedures according to Board of Cosmetology and DHEC requirements.
- TIP, 6%
Provided manicures, pedicures and tip overlays to clients.
- Repeat Business, 5%
Worked with 20+ clients weekly providing quality services Created repeat business by developing long-term relationships with regular customers.
Most nail technicians use their skills in "work ethic," "customer service," and "cleanliness" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential nail technician responsibilities here:
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a nail technician to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what nail technicians do because "manicurists and pedicurist who run their own nail salon must understand business principles." Additionally, a nail technician resume shows how nail technicians use business skills: "maintain booth rental maintain inventory scheduling appointments maintain rapport with clients develop business advertisement"
Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling nail technician duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "a steady hand is essential in achieving precise nail design." According to a nail technician resume, here's how nail technicians can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "nail technician: human service of hands and feet. "
Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of nail technicians is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday nail technician duties, as "manicurists and pedicurists must be able to neatly finish small, intricate nail designs, as well as to suggest designs and match them to individual tastes. ." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assist with the daily operations in the salon including cash/credit transactions, inventory, and scheduling appointments. "
Customer-service skills. A big part of what nail technicians do relies on "customer-service skills." You can see how essential it is to nail technician responsibilities because "manicurists and pedicurists must have good listening and interpersonal skills to meet clients' needs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical nail technician tasks: "educate guests on usage of aveda product for proper home maintenance. "
The three companies that hire the most nail technicians are:
- Soothe102 nail technicians jobs
- WTS International
77 nail technicians jobs
- Salon & Spa57 nail technicians jobs
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Compare different nail technicians
Nail technician vs. Cosmetologist
A 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. Although most clients relay their preferred styling, a cosmetologist may also provide options and suggestions according to a client's hair condition or facial structure. Furthermore, a cosmetologist must have a strong client base, which is why one must build rapport and prioritize customer satisfaction.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a nail technician are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "cleanliness," "cosmetology," and "excellent guest." On the other hand, a job as a cosmetologist requires skills like "hair color," "clips," "make-up," and "appointment scheduling." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Cosmetologists tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,317. In contrast, nail technicians make the biggest average salary, $32,807, in the health care industry.On average, cosmetologists reach similar levels of education than nail technicians. Cosmetologists are 3.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Nail technician vs. Pedicurist
Each career also uses different skills, according to real nail technician resumes. While nail technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "work ethic," "cleanliness," "cosmetology," and "tip," pedicurists use skills like "general upkeep," "customer care," "problem solver," and "medical care."
Pedicurists earn similar levels of education than nail technicians in general. They're 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for nail technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Kathy Grant
Instructor, Cosmetology, Guilford Technical Community College
Also, online scheduling through Social Media will become much
more prevalent.
Nail technician vs. Manicurist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a nail technician is likely to be skilled in "work ethic," "scheduling appointments," "spa management," and "home maintenance," while a typical manicurist is skilled in "guest service," "appointment scheduling," "quality standards," and "customer relations."
Manicurists typically earn similar educational levels compared to nail technicians. Specifically, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Nail technician vs. Nail artist
Types of nail technician
Updated January 8, 2025
