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Nail Technician Degree Overview

Individuals interested in a career as a nail technician must first obtain the skills and education necessary to perform one's duties through an accredited nail technician program. Such programs are typically offered through community colleges, career colleges and schools, or specialty schools for cosmetology. Nail technician programs will vary in length, but most will take less than a year to complete and result in a certificate or diploma demonstrating one's competency.

Students enrolled in a nail technician program will learn to shape and manicure nails, attend to blotchy or dry skin, maintain equipment and how to sterilize it, and provide other treatments. Programs will have student practice on one another or through a salon, some schools may provide internship opportunities, while others will have a location on campus. This practical experience is beneficial and may be used to assist in finding work after graduation. In addition, students will learn about business operation and customer service in order to establish and maintain a business.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$24,330

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

90,630

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Nail Technician Schools

Career Training Solutions understands that advancements in education and training are made each day. It is our goal to prepare our students for the changes in industry by providing quality education and training that is focused on hands-on experiences using the most current technology available.

History

Career Training Solutions (CTS) was established on April 27, 1998, as the Health and Beauty Academy, Inc., in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Health and Beauty Academy offered programs in European Skin Care, Body Spa and Wellness, Esthetics, Electrolysis, and Professional Massage Therapy. In October of 2000, ownership of the Health and Beauty Academy changed, and the school was renamed Career Training Solutions (CTS).

The new management of Career Training Solutions implemented stronger curricula to the programs already offered. In addition, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Specialist, Phlebotomy, and Practical Nurse programs were implemented. CTS attained national accreditation with the Commission of the Council of Occupational Education (COE) in February 2002. In 2008 CTS offered its first degree granting program, the Registered Nurse program, and will continue to look for new education alternatives to better serve the community.

Today Career Training Solutions remains committed to providing quality education to its students and to enhancing the prosperity of the communities we serve.

Acceptance Rate

63.89

Tuition

$31,479 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Combining the Esthetics and Nail Technician program, Laurel's Nail Technician course exists to provide service for individuals passionate to work as an esthetician or as a nail technician. Students enrolled in the program will gain an understanding of skincare and makeup. Through their comprehensive knowledge of manicuring, pedicuring, nail design, and artistry, they produce highly skilled individuals. Graduates from the course will be awarded a diploma and have the opportunity to sit for the Esthetics and Nail Technician licensing exam after completion of 600 hours of instruction.

Acceptance Rate

91.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Combining the Esthetics and Nail Technician program, Laurel's Nail Technician course exists to provide service for individuals passionate to work as an esthetician or as a nail technician. Students enrolled in the program will gain an understanding of skincare and makeup. Through their comprehensive knowledge of manicuring, pedicuring, nail design, and artistry, they produce highly skilled individuals. Graduates from the course will be awarded a diploma and have the opportunity to sit for the Esthetics and Nail Technician licensing exam after completion of 600 hours of instruction.

Acceptance Rate

91.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The United Beauty College located in Englewood, Colorado offers a top flight nail technician program for qualified students.  A manicurist or nail technician is trained to attend to grooming nails on the hands and feet.  The span of duties can include trimming, grooming, repairing and polishing.  It can also extend to different types of nails such as acrylics, extensions, and the application of acrylic nails.   By properly maintaining a customers nails and nail beds, a personable nail tech is set up to earn trust and business for years to come. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,316 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

With over forty years of experience, PJ’s College of Cosmetology continues to offer top-rate programs for students seeking to enter the beauty industry.  In fact, one of the most popular programs at PJ’s is the Nail Tech program.  The nail technician program at PJ’s goes well beyond the basics of learning manicuring by adding spa treatment training.  The basic curriculum includes pedicures, manicures, hands-on learning opportunities, job search assistance, interview preparation, and applicable state board prep. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$3,657 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The Academy of Nail, Hair, and Skin is a respected institution offering a range of fragerances, healthcare, make up, skin care, and nail care products.  With a variety of options, ANHS caters to the different passions of every individual. Students gain the skills and training they need to enter careers with professional employment status in nail care as a trained nail technician. Completing the program guarantees quality skills and knowledge in the field.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,500 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance is located in Clifton, New Jersey.  The school provides specialized training with small classes to allow each student to receive the attention needed to become a proficient nail tech.  The curriculum provided at Raphael’s in addition to the one-on-one training, help motivated students build confidence and successfully transition to a busy salon environment.   Students are taught about manicuring, artificial nails, and nail structure to better understand the science behind the vocation. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,740 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

24:1

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Niles provides specialized training for nail technicians in small class sizes to get individualized attention. Helping students build their confidence working in a real salon setting. They are introduced to nail structure and manicuring techniques along with advanced training in artificial nail application. After finishing the program, they are prepared to work in an environment where their skills are needed.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,740 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Boardman is located in Shelby, Ohio.  The design of the nail technician course at Raphael’s is to provide the training and insights to succeed in a salon after program completion.  Teachers spend time introducing the science and art of being a nail technician.  From a scientific standpoint, students learn the components of the nail bed and nails along with proper maintenance.  The art of maintaining nails includes the personal connect with each customer and the associated style intended to capture. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,740 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The Salon Professional Academy offers a program for individuals interested in Nail Technology. Students learn a variety of treatments and how to utilize nail products. In addition, they will also learn safety and sanitation, anatomy, physiology, and business management. Developing professional skills by working with mannequins and real clients. With a small number of students in every class, they can promote better learning and instructors can focus more on every development of their students.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$11,900 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Moler Beauty Academy is located in Fairfield, Ohio and is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).  The three courses students can elect to pursue at Moler Beauty Academy are cosmetology, esthetics, and manicurist.  The manicurist track garnered national attention this year by securing a top spot in our in-depth study of manicuring and nail technician degree programs.  The nail tech curriculum includes courses in nail enhancements, manicures, pedicures, hand massages, proper sanitation, pedicures, sculptured nails, and manicured nails. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,750 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Salon Professional Academy's Nail Technology program includes instruction on innovative techniques for manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, and nail sculpting. Individuals enrolled in the program have the opportunity to learn the basic and contemporary design, chemistry, and artificial nail product application and maintenance. Training in business and marketing skills are offered to widen their knowledge in the industry. They are dedicated to guiding their students in transforming them into a highly skilled and competitive area.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,790 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

National Beauty College in Denver offers programs for qualified students in Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Manicuring. Through National Beaty College’s advanced manicuring program they prepare students for an exciting future in the field. It is focused on the complete understanding of all nail esthetics as well as foot and hand care. Upon completing the course, they are trained and ready to navigate the world of beauty.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$10,000 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

BJ’s Beauty and Barber College is located in Tacoma, Washington and is NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Arts and Sciences) accredited.  The school provides opportunities to qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and financing through federal programs.  Staff at BJ’s are highly trained, engaged instructors that strive to help each and every student succeed.  Programs offered at BJ’s include cosmetology, esthetics, manicurist, teacher training, and barbering.  Manicurists can expect to complete the program in twenty to twenty-five weeks depending on whether students attend during the day or evening. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$8,250 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Phagans Cosmetology Colleges is a network of five campus locations throughout the state of Oregon.  Students can take classes in Grants Pass, Bend, Medford, Salem or Corvallis.  The primary programs offered for qualified students include barbering, esthetics, hair design, and nail technology.  Students pursuing a future as a nail tech can expect to take basics of manicuring in pre-clinic classes that include pedicures, manicures, nail care, and nail design.  The two tracks nail techs take are either esthetics and nail technology or Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics.  Depending on the track, clock hours required will range from 774 to 1893.  

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$16,200 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Manatee Technical College is a broad-based higher education institution based in Bradenton, Florida.  MTC offers programs for students of all ages and abilities with programs in rapid credentialing, technical trades,  dual enrollment, ESL, and online degree programs.  The main campus at Manatee Tech offers a top rated nail specialty program in addition to cosmetology, barbering, and facials.  Nail specialists earn a certificate of completion via convenient evening and weekend classes.  The school has a 100% job placement rate for nail techs and enroll qualified students twice a year. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$4,332 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance provides specialized training in small class sizes to get individualized attention. Helping students build their confidence working in a real salon setting. They are introduced to nail structure and manicuring techniques along with advanced training in artificial nail application. After finishing the program, they are prepared to work in an environment where their skills are needed.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$10,600 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

The Salon Professional Academy offers a program for individuals interested in Nail Technology. Students learn a variety of treatments and how to utilize nail products. They will also learn safety and sanitation, anatomy, physiology, and business management. Developing professional skills by working with mannequins and real clients. With a small number of students in every class, they can promote better learning and instructors can focus more on every development of their students.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$20,140 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The Cosmetology School of Arts and Sciences is located in Burley, Idaho and was established in 1999 to serve students in the region.  During the eighteen week nail technology course, students will learn how to perform manicures, pedicures, and artificial nail applications. CSAS provides opportunities for students to create and utilize nail art as well as enhancement services to maximize earning potential. Through their contemporary, practical, and accredited professional training programs they produce trained professionals with quality skills and great customer service. With plenty of one-on-one instruction, small classes provide more benefits and allow students to gain experiences essential to excel in the field.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$14,840 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

4:1

Razzle Dazzle College of Hair Design is now known as TSPA and based in Nampa, Idaho.  It was founded in 1985 and the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Arts and Sciences.  TSPA has established an exceptional reputation in the community in beauty care with alumni engaged in quality work in the region for years.  The top ranked nail technology program is designed to be completed in seventeen weeks which covers four hundred hours of class time.  TPSA enrolls students in the nail tech program twice a year in May and June.  Reach out to the school today to learn more about the admissions process and cost of attendance. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,100 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Phagans is a network of cosmetology colleges across the state of Oregon from Bend to Corvallis.  Students can take a number of highly rated classes from Phagans Cosmetology Colleges.   Classes a student can enroll in include esthetics, hair design, barbering, and nail tech.  Those enrolled in the nail technology program will take pre-clinic classes that include curriculum around nail care, pedicures, nail designs, and manicures.  Dual programs at Phagans such as Nail Tech and Esthetics offer students the ability to learn more than one discipline and marketable to prospective employers after graduation.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$16,200 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

UBS students learn how to perform manicures, pedicures, artificial nail applications, and cosmetology from their Los Angeles campus. Universal Beauty School provides opportunities for qualified students to create and utilize nail art as well as enhancement services to maximize earning potential. Through their contemporary, practical, and accredited professional training programs, UBS helps to produce individuals with quality skills and a focus on customer care.  The four-hundred hour program combines practical operations in addition to technical instruction. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$39,400 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Nail Technology at Iowa School of Beauty specializes in grooming and appearance of fingernails and toenails. Students learn how to properly pamper their clients through relaxing manicures and pedicures. They have the freedom to explore their creativity and have fun doing it here. Nail professionals can treat natural nails as well as add-on acrylic nails, gels coverings, or a silk strengthener.

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$17,640 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Avalon School of Cosmetology is located in Worthington, Minnesota.  The school offers two cosmetology programs and two nail technician programs for qualified students.  The nail tech program at Avalon teaches students cutting edge and timeless techniques to aid them in pursuing a career in the field.  The faculty at Avalon School of Cosmetology is composed of diverse and knowledgeable instructors that will teach students the art and science of the beauty industry by marrying technical curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,900 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Chattanooga College is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is a medical, dental, and technical career college.  Programs offered at CC include nursing assistant, medical assistant, medical office administration, cosmetology and manicuring.  The manicuring program cracked our list of top rated programs this year for their core and advanced training for manicures, spa, pedicures, acrylic systems, gel systems, wrap, overlay, and fiberglass and dip systems. Students are exposed to the advanced technical and professional skills that salons and day spas desire.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

How Do You Become a Nail Technician?

To begin work as a nail tech, you will need to complete all necessary training at a state-approved cosmetology/nail school and understand licensure requirements for your state of residence (age, experience, academic, background checks, and examinations).

Accredited nail technician schools and cosmetology programs offering training programs will cover varying degrees of nail health, safety, salon management, hygiene, advanced nail techniques, and applicable laws & regulations governing nail technicians in your state. You will need between 200-800 hours of training to sit for a state licensing exam in your state with the national average of 387 hours of training for nail techs. Nail technician programs offered by accredited schools can last from 3-18 months depending on the number of classes taken at a given time and curricular design of the program. Upon completion of the college training program, a state examination is required.

Individuals who have graduated a nail technician program must first seek licensure by their state prior to being able to work as a technician. Licensure requirements will vary by state, but often have a minimum age limit and an exam. Some state may require a certain amount of supervised hours as well. Many states will require regular renewal of a license, either through reexamination, an annual fee, continuing education courses or some combination of the three.

Once licensed, an individual will most likely pursue work at an existing salon or spa, developing a client base and broadening his or her skills. Nail technicians typically work 40 hours a week, though the many will work evening hours which tend to be the busiest for this type of work. Individuals will shape nails, paint them, attend to cuticle, work on splotchy skin, provide, and educate clients to proper nail and skin care. Individuals may pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly those who have a large client base or have years of experience in the field.

What Classes Will I Take as a Nail Technician?

Accredited colleges that offer training and certification programs generally blend hands-on learning with traditional academic courses. Fusing academic with pragmatic learning provides a link between theory and practice to help students bring concepts to life. Hands-on learning helps to build muscle memory, prepare students for real-world nail technician work in the field, and endow students with the knowledge to successfully tackle the state licensing examination. A sampling of classes you may see in a nail technician course may include:

  • Nail Care History and Nail Products
  • Manicure, Gel Manicures
  • Pedicure
  • Sculptured Nails, Nail Art, Nail Care
  • Salon Ecology
  • Sanitation & Bacteriology
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Public Health
  • Safety, Sterilization & Sanitation
  • Nail Care Tools
  • Fabric & Sculpting Procedures
  • Massage Techniques: Arms, Hands, and Feet

Online Nail Technician Schools

The fastest growing segment within higher education degrees and certificate programs is online learning or distance learning. The quality and convenience have caught up with the digital delivery of college degree programs and growth for online learning is expected to steadily increase for the foreseeable future. With online college programs, students have the autonomy, freedom, and independence often not found in traditional college courses. The two primary learning modalities with online college programs is asynchronous learning and synchronous learning. Asynchronous learning takes place at differing times while following the same class syllabus with identical learning objectives thus allowing students to log-on and pace learning on their own schedule. On the other hand, synchronous learning is when all students are required to be online at the same time and perform group learning activities simultaneously.

For working professionals or those with hectic family schedules, online nail tech learning opportunities may be worth researching. Make sure to fully understand your states licensing requirements prior to enrolling in any nail technician program. From internships to training requirements, each state will prescribe a set of specific items necessary for any student to accomplish prior to applying for licensure.

Questions to Ask Nail Tech Schools

After reading our College Admissions Guide and compiling your priority list, you will need to begin you research of colleges that are the best to help you meet your personal and professional objectives. A sampling of questions to have in your quiver include the following items:

  • School accreditation and awards
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • School tours available
  • Online learning options
  • Class schedule options: day, evening, weekend
  • Course duration
  • Academic course list for nail tech, cosmetology, makeup, estheticians, barber, electrolysis, facial treatments, etc.
  • Course curriculum
  • Student to teacher ratio
  • Graduation rate
  • Student services available
  • Internship requirements
  • Life credits or work credits

Job Opportunities and Career Outlook for Nail Techs

Top Job Responsibilities of a Nail Technician

A nail technician, pedicurist, or manicurist is a professional emphasizing the grooming, beautification, and styling of fingernails and toenails. This may include nail design, maintenance, cleaning, polishing, trimming, massaging, moisturizing, and overall nail wellness. In a recent survey of Nail Technicians administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, professionals shed light on common job responsibilities of the trade. The most commonly cited job duties of a nail technician include the following:

  • Be detail-oriented and knowledgeable in nail care
  • Treat nails by shaping, decorating, or augmenting
  • Schedule appointments
  • Maintain client information or service records
  • Clean & sanitize tools and work environment
  • Apply undercoat followed by a clear coat or colored polish onto nails with brush or tools
  • Maintain supply inventories & records of client services
  • Properly shape nails using files, scissors, and emery boards
  • Prepare and maintain nail cuticles

States with the Highest Number of Nail Technicians

  • California 20,590
  • New York 14,080
  • New Jersey 7,570
  • Massachusetts 4,890
  • Pennsylvania 4,800

Top Paying Cities for Nail Technicians

  1. Springfield, IL $46,850
  2. Naples, FL $46,070
  3. Boulder, CO $44,500
  4. Daytona Beach, FL $37,210
  5. Orlando, FL $36,330

Individuals interested in becoming a nail technician may also be interested in cosmetology, esthetics or hair styling. More information outside academia can be found by visiting the AIA, NSHA, and the ANP to discover member benefits and resources for chapters near you.

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