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Compare nail technician licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$35,516
across 49 states
Avg. Time to License
5 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$153
across 51 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,980#45 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Alaska | $46,040#5 | 5 mo#1 | $176#39 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arizona | $34,820#25 | 5 mo#1 | $162#34 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arkansas | $27,780#46 | 5 mo#1 | $122#7 | 2 wk#1 |
| California | $35,000#23 | 5 mo#1 | $175#38 | 2 wk#1 |
| Colorado | $37,800#12 | 5 mo#1 | $152#31 | 2 wk#1 |
| Connecticut | $32,640#34 | 5 mo#1 | $232#49 | 2 wk#1 |
| Delaware | $28,480#44 | 5 mo#1 | $181#40 | 2 wk#1 |
| District of Columbia | $47,120#4 | 5 mo#1 | $252#51 | 2 wk#1 |
| Florida | $32,370#35 | 5 mo#1 | $200#44 | 2 wk#1 |
| Georgia | $26,500#48 | 5 mo#1 | $127#11 | 2 wk#1 |
| Hawaii | $29,120#42 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Idaho | $33,260#32 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Illinois | $34,520#27 | 5 mo#1 | $105#4 | 2 wk#1 |
| Indiana | $33,090#33 | 5 mo#1 | $147#29 | 2 wk#1 |
| Iowa | $38,530#10 | 5 mo#1 | $172#37 | 2 wk#1 |
| Kansas | $30,650#39 | 5 mo#1 | $157#32 | 2 wk#1 |
| Kentucky | $60,950#1 | 5 mo#1 | $127#11 | 2 wk#1 |
| Louisiana | $29,100#43 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Maine | $49,430#2 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Maryland | $36,380#16 | 5 mo#1 | $162#34 | 2 wk#1 |
| Massachusetts | $34,180#28 | 5 mo#1 | $184#42 | 2 wk#1 |
| Michigan | $34,920#24 | 5 mo#1 | $101#2 | 2 wk#1 |
| Minnesota | $36,140#18 | 5 mo#1 | $217#46 | 2 wk#1 |
| Mississippi | $42,370#7 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Missouri | $38,950#9 | 5 mo#1 | $127#11 | 2 wk#1 |
| Montana | — | 5 mo#1 | $232#49 | 2 wk#1 |
| Nebraska | $36,560#15 | 5 mo#1 | $147#29 | 2 wk#1 |
| Nevada | $35,340#22 | 5 mo#1 | $182#41 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Hampshire | $31,720#36 | 5 mo#1 | $217#46 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Jersey | $31,470#37 | 5 mo#1 | $165#36 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Mexico | $42,840#6 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| New York | $33,390#31 | 5 mo#1 | $95#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| North Carolina | $34,810#26 | 5 mo#1 | $138#27 | 2 wk#1 |
| North Dakota | $30,920#38 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Ohio | $35,900#21 | 5 mo#1 | $120#6 | 2 wk#1 |
| Oklahoma | $29,560#41 | 5 mo#1 | $122#7 | 2 wk#1 |
| Oregon | $35,970#20 | 5 mo#1 | $157#32 | 2 wk#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,480#47 | 5 mo#1 | $102#3 | 2 wk#1 |
| Rhode Island | $36,180#17 | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| South Carolina | $25,980#49 | 5 mo#1 | $122#7 | 2 wk#1 |
| South Dakota | $40,210#8 | 5 mo#1 | $127#11 | 2 wk#1 |
| Tennessee | $30,030#40 | 5 mo#1 | $140#28 | 2 wk#1 |
| Texas | $36,900#14 | 5 mo#1 | $130#15 | 2 wk#1 |
| Utah | $38,390#11 | 5 mo#1 | $189#43 | 2 wk#1 |
| Vermont | $33,520#30 | 5 mo#1 | $217#46 | 2 wk#1 |
| Virginia | $36,970#13 | 5 mo#1 | $212#45 | 2 wk#1 |
| Washington | $47,840#3 | 5 mo#1 | $110#5 | 2 wk#1 |
| West Virginia | $36,020#19 | 5 mo#1 | $122#7 | 2 wk#1 |
| Wisconsin | $34,180#28 | 5 mo#1 | $137#26 | 2 wk#1 |
| Wyoming | — | 5 mo#1 | $132#16 | 2 wk#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.