Manicurists and Pedicurists salary in California
Manicurists and Pedicurists in California earn a median of $36,630 a year ($17.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 39,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,260 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,760. California ranks 20th of 49 states for manicurists and pedicurists pay. There are 2.2 manicurists and pedicurists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for manicurists and pedicurists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| 25th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Median | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| 75th percentile | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Average (mean) | $39,730 | $19.10 |
Half of manicurists and pedicurists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.85 |
| Weekly | $704.42 |
| Hourly | $17.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Manicurists and Pedicurists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,070 | 2,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $41,600 | 4,040 |
| Napa, CA | $38,500 | 140 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $37,870 | 390 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,810 | 460 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $36,750 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $36,670 | 4,180 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,630 | 250 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,570 | 15,050 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $36,230 | 230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $36,130 | 720 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $35,760 | 660 |
| Merced, CA | $35,600 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $35,370 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $35,340 | 3,130 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $35,290 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $35,200 | 4,750 |
| Visalia, CA | $35,120 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $35,100 | 450 |
| El Centro, CA | $35,090 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $35,080 | 800 |
| Modesto, CA | $34,890 | 390 |
Highest-paying states for manicurists and pedicurists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $60,790 |
| Nebraska | $56,940 |
| Washington | $49,900 |
| Maine | $48,540 |
| Alaska | $47,890 |
| Oregon | $46,080 |
| Iowa | $45,420 |
| Kentucky | $45,310 |
| South Dakota | $45,310 |
| Nevada | $41,880 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Barber | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $140,870 | $67.73 |
| Shampooer | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-5092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a manicurists and pedicurists make in California?
The median salary for manicurists and pedicurists in California is $36,630 a year, or $17.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid manicurists and pedicurists make in California?
The top 10% of manicurists and pedicurists in California earn at least $47,260 a year. The top 25% earn $39,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for manicurists and pedicurists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,840 a year, and a quarter of manicurists and pedicurists earn $35,480 or less.
How many manicurists and pedicurists work in California?
About 39,210 manicurists and pedicurists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.