Manicurists and pedicurists are frequent terms used to describe nail technicians. Nail technicians need manual dexterity so that you can hold and use sharp instruments on delicate fingers and toes. This is also important while applying polish with a steady hand.

Nail technicians must also have a competent level of customer service, whether you work for a spa or salon or on your own. Moreo, nail technicians must listen to the client’s wants and wishes and offer style guidance and information on healthy nails.

Some nail technicians make money by selling to clients directly the products they use for their services. And nail technicians, who typically work in salons or spas, also have the freedom to work on their preferred time. Typically, they work evening and weekend hours. This article contains information about the nail technician career field.

What is a Nail Technician?

Nail technicians give clients fingernails and toenails manicures, pedicures, and other cosmetic treatments. These steps entail taking nail polish off, cleaning, cutting, filing, and polishing.

They might also help with callus removal, hand and foot massage, and moisturizing. In addition to these services, technicians also talk with clients about different nail treatments. They suggest nail and skin care items to help with your nails’ health.

What Are the Duties of a Nail Technician?

Manicurists and pedicurists, both terms for nail technicians, focus solely on their client’s nails. Typically, your tasks will involve cleaning, polishing, trimming, and shaping the nails. Other duties are listed below:

• Providing guests with salt-infused foot baths and nail extensions.
• Managerial tasks such as ordering inventory, hiring new employees, and maintaining financial records.
• Performing top-notch manicures and pedicures. These involve washing nails and trimming the ends of nails.
• Applying new polish following clients’ preferences.
• Massaging your client’s hands and feet with oils to soften dry, dead skin.
• Expected to schedule appointments, respond to client questions, and gather payment.
• Putting on artificial nails and offering clients advice on various nail art and designs.
• Cleaning all nail tools and supplies before each usage.
• Making sure that workstations are maintained tidy and organized.
•  Ensuring that there is enough stock of massage and nail supplies.
• Giving professional hand and foot massages.

Nail Technician Education Requirements

1. High School diploma

The majority of states demand that nail technicians have a high school diploma. Consider taking health and anatomy subjects in high school if you are interested in becoming a nail technician. You will gain a foundational grasp of skin and nail issues through these classes.

2. Certification or Licensing

The majority of states demand licensing for nail technicians. Typically, there are two fees: one for taking the exam and one for getting the license. 

Exams often consist of written and practical components. Free nail technician practice tests can be taken to help prepare for certification exams. This is so you will have an idea what kinds of questions will come out during the nail technician exam.

The nail technician practical exam contains practical labs that simulate common nail technician duties such as nail polishing. The nail technician theory exam also contains some theory questions on nail technician job roles.

3. Training Classes

Attending a cosmetology or nail school is the next step on the path to becoming a nail technician. States have schools dedicated to training nail technicians. Other states require that the coursework be done as part of a complete cosmetology degree.

Students are expected to learn a lot more than just manicuring in nail schools. Standard courses of study cover a wide range of subjects.

Nail Technician Skills

• A state license as a cosmetologist or manicurist.
• A track record of success as a nail technician.
• Comprehensive understanding of manicure and pedicure procedures.
• The capacity to focus for protracted periods.
• Patient and detail-oriented.
• Superb hand-eye coordination.
• Capable of effective communication.
• Superior customer service abilities.

Jobs and Careers for Nail Technicians

The BLS reports that the employment forecast for nail technicians is favorable. It is expanding substantially faster than other professions. The sector anticipates growth of roughly 19%. Due to the high turnover in salons, finding a job is generally straightforward. It also has an hourly rate of $10 to $14.

You might be wondering where a career as a nail technician might take you if you’ve been thinking about it. There are opportunities available outside of the salon, which is wonderful news. After the completion of nail technician training, any of the fascinating professions listed below is one that you can pursue.

1. Spa or Salon Manicure and Pedicurist

Those who select this professional path as nail technicians can look forward to doing things like clipping and cutting their clients’ nails. Only the fingernails and/or toenails of their clients are used by manicure and pedicure professionals. 

Salons provide an excellent setting for developing abilities. It enables learning about various products and procedures. This establishes a clientele and gets recommendations.

2. A Qualified Nail Consultant

As a nail technician, you’ll observe that your customers depend on you to advise them on the best materials to use and, in some cases, to guide nail upkeep. Consider a career as a professional nail consultant if you are interested in the retail part of being a nail technician. You can also be an advisor to publications or celebrities about how to keep their nails clean even with extensions.

3. Mobile Manicurist

If working in a salon doesn’t provide you with the freedom you need, you may opt to pursue a career as a nail technician by working for yourself. You can go to your client’s homes or offices rather than opening a business more like a home service.

Many customers prefer this type of setup because some may be too busy or too tired to actually go to the salon. Also, this saves them from being trapped in traffic when they go out.

4. A Nail Salon Owner

Being your boss is the most fulfilling thing for a nail technician. When you run your nail salon, you are in charge of everything, such as bringing in new clients or satisfying your loyal ones. You are also in charge of ordering the manicure goods your shop uses to manage the other nail technicians that work for you.

5. Nail Technology Educator

If you attend nail technician school and discover that you never want to stop learning, you might be a fantastic candidate for the position.

When you decide to pursue a career as a nail tech educator, you can turn your passion for imparting your knowledge to your clients into a profession.

You will be able to teach future generations the abilities that allowed you to become a great nail technician.

To work with a nail tech instructor or trainer, you must have demonstrated job experience as a nail technician. You must have finished a manicure training program, and received the necessary licenses.

Benefits of Becoming a Nail Technician

There are a plethora of incredible advantages to working as a nail technician. Here is a list of a few of these advantages:

1. Art Creativity

There is an abundance of directions your artistic talent can go given the variety of nail shapes, colors, and patterns!

2. Good Job Security

When you start working, people will depend on nail technicians for all of their beauty needs, thus they will need your talents!

3. Flexibility

Many nail technicians are allowed to choose the hours they want to work and can come in and out as needed. In some salons, customers even schedule appointments in advance, allowing you to schedule your week so that you can help your clients.

A nail technician’s employment is no longer restricted to the confines of a salon. Numerous nail salons may be found in markets and shopping centers all around the city.

4. Satisfaction

Nail technicians help people feel great. Nail technicians do more than just make their customers feel better by offering them a distinctive form or design that suits them. Getting rid of all that dead skin and leaving the nail salon feeling clean and renewed is the best feeling ever!

Conclusion

The nail technician career is promising. Nail technicians typically work for spa or salon owners as employees. Moreso, nail technicians that work for themselves oversee their salons’ hiring, inventory, and marketing.

Furthermore, you may work as a sales representative for a sizable nail product distributor or run a franchise’s network of salons.