Headline risk
3%
Very Low RiskManicurists and pedicurists
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 5% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 34,660
Employment 2024
210.1K
Projected Change (2024–34)
7.0%
Openings (2024–34)
24.8K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Clean and sanitize tools and work environment. AI use: 0%
- 2. Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush. AI use: 0%
- 3. Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards. AI use: 0%
- 4. Prepare customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks. AI use: 0%
- 5. Remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs. AI use: 0%
- 6. Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 46.5 · 277K employed
Under 25: 5% · 25–54: 70% · 55+: 25%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
major_group_fallback · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails.
Manicurists and pedicurists usually work in a nail salon, spa, or hair salon. Most manicurists and pedicurists work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.
Manicurists and pedicurists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or nail technician program and then pass a state exam for licensure.
The median hourly wage for manicurists and pedicurists was $16.66 in May 2024.
Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.