A manicure or pedicure is a temporary form of self-care and love. Your nails can also reflect your favorite mood and interests with a limitless amount of colors and designs. Sprucing up your nail beds can cost anywhere from $15 to $100+ depending on the service provided, location, nail artist’s experience, and how much you tip your nail artist.
Before paint covers your nails, extensions are glued on, and cuticles are trimmed, it’s important to understand how much it costs to get your nails done by a professional or yourself.
Cost breakdown by nail service type
There are many types of professional manicures that all vary in cost. On the affordable end, a basic color coat can cost around $15-$20. Meanwhile, some people spend $100+ on a manicure with extensions, no-chip nail polish (gel), designs, and cuticle care. For example, acrylics can cost anywhere between $25 and $120 depending on your design while gel manicures can cost between $25 and $65. A cost breakdown of nail services may help you decide what’s best for you:
| Type of manicure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard manicure | $20-$40 |
| Standard pedicure | $25-$40 |
| Design add-on | +$10 |
| Acrylics (full set) | $25-$120 |
| Acrylics (fills) | $15-$20 |
| Dip powder | $35-$50 |
| French | +$5-$15 |
| Gel (full set) | $25-$65 |
| Gel (fills) | $15-$20 |
| Stone pedicure | $45-$50 |
| Paraffin treatment | +$40 |
Understanding the details of each nail service (and not just the price) will help you decide what service you’re looking for:
- A standard manicure includes cuticle trim, filing, a color coat, and a topcoat.
- A standard pedicure includes a foot soak, the removal of dead skin, and nail trimming, and involves the same nail polish as a standard manicure (color coat and topcoat).
- Design add-ons are an additional cost that’s added on top of the service you chose, like a standard manicure, gel, or acrylic.
- Acrylic nails (full set) are a combination of nail extensions and forming paste made with powder and liquid that hardens together to create an artificial nail shape and length.
- Acrylic fills are when the nail technician applies the hardening paste on the base of the nail bed to hide the regrowth from a previous acrylic full set.
- Dip powder is a long-lasting color option where the nail is dipped into a colored powder and sealed with a topcoat.
- A French manicure or pedicure is a popular addition to standard, acrylic, and gel services, where the tip of the nail is painted white and the rest of the nail is nude or sheer pink.
- A gel (full set) manicure involves a glossier, studier, and no-chip result due to the combination of a gel-based polish and an LED light. You can also get gel extensions for an additional cost.
- A gel fill can help increase the longevity of a previous gel manicure by applying the gel-based polish to regrowth near the base of the nail bed.
- A stone pedicure is a luxury massage treatment where the technician rubs hot stones along the calf to release tension. This is typically followed by the steps of a standard pedicure.
- A paraffin treatment is when the technician covers the hand or foot in hot paraffin wax before applying polish to hydrate the skin.
How much are manicures in each state?
The price of a manicure varies for many reasons, including competition and access to materials. Manicures are most expensive in New York, with an average of $67 per appointment. If you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank account, head over to West Virginia, where manicures average $24 per appointment.
We gathered data from our nail artists across the U.S. to help break down the average price of a manicure in each state:
| State | Average appointment cost |
|---|---|
| AK | $37 |
| AL | $54 |
| AR | $39 |
| AZ | $46 |
| CA | $47 |
| CO | $44 |
| CT | $42 |
| DC | $42 |
| DE | $54 |
| FL | $46 |
| GA | $56 |
| HI | $36 |
| IA | $28 |
| ID | $43 |
| IL | $49 |
| IN | $46 |
| KS | $62 |
| KY | $50 |
| LA | $45 |
| MA | $41 |
| MD | $60 |
| ME | $31 |
| MI | $44 |
| MN | $44 |
| MO | $44 |
| MS | $32 |
| MT | $36 |
| NC | $50 |
| NE | $43 |
| NH | $50 |
| NJ | $62 |
| NM | $33 |
| NV | $51 |
| NY | $67 |
| OH | $52 |
| OK | $43 |
| OR | $50 |
| PA | $41 |
| RI | $33 |
| SC | $55 |
| SD | $37 |
| TN | $42 |
| TX | $56 |
| UT | $44 |
| VA | $56 |
| WA | $59 |
| WI | $53 |
| WV | $24 |
| WY | $40 |
How much are pedicures in each state?
Like manicures, the cost of a pedicure varies from state to state. Many salons offer add-ons for pedicures that result in a wide range of prices. South Dakota averages $95 per appointment. Meanwhile, a pedicure in New Mexico is more affordable at $34 per appointment.
Our community of nail artists helped us create a list of average pedicure costs in each state:
| State | Average appointment cost |
|---|---|
| AK | $42 |
| AL | $61 |
| AR | $47 |
| AZ | $47 |
| CA | $51 |
| CO | $60 |
| CT | $39 |
| DC | $51 |
| DE | $37 |
| FL | $47 |
| GA | $42 |
| HI | $36 |
| IA | $43 |
| ID | $42 |
| IL | $65 |
| IN | $45 |
| KS | $50 |
| KY | $55 |
| LA | $62 |
| MA | $52 |
| MD | $63 |
| ME | $40 |
| MI | $44 |
| MN | $79 |
| MO | $49 |
| MS | $42 |
| MT | $51 |
| NC | $41 |
| ND | $55 |
| NE | $41 |
| NH | $57 |
| NJ | $36 |
| NM | $34 |
| NV | $55 |
| NY | $59 |
| OH | $56 |
| OK | $47 |
| OR | $51 |
| PA | $42 |
| RI | $35 |
| SC | $48 |
| SD | $95 |
| TN | $51 |
| TX | $56 |
| UT | $41 |
| VA | $61 |
| WA | $61 |
| WI | $54 |
| WY | $52 |
What am I paying for during a standard manicure and pedicure appointment?
A standard manicure and pedicure includes cleaning, soaking, and polishing during the appointment. The appointment can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes for a standard service. However, a more detailed service will increase the price and appointment time. If you have a busy day ahead of you, it’s recommended to call the salon or nail tech for an estimate so you can set aside enough time.
Cleaning
The first step during a nail appointment is cleaning. The technician will remove old nail polish, trim nails to your desired length, soak them, and push back and trim your cuticles. This process ensures a clean and long-lasting manicure or pedicure.
Soaking
Once your nails are clean, you’ll place them in a small bowl with warm water and sometimes essential oils. Your nails will typically soak for five minutes to prepare them for treatment.
Massaging
A light hand or foot massage will follow to enhance your spa experience. If you choose a stone pedicure, the technician will warm pumice stones and use them as the massaging device to release tension in your calves.
Polishing (optional)
Now it’s time for the step you’ve been waiting for: the polish. The technician will carefully apply the polish of your choice in multiple coats so that the color is opaque. After the main polish, they’ll apply a topcoat to seal, protect, and enhance the color.
Drying
We’ve all been there: You open your car door and smudge the beautiful manicure you just paid for. Drying your nails at the salon is essential to maintain your nails’ perfect appearance. Nearly all salons suggest 10 minutes of dry time after polishing. If you choose a gel manicure, however, the LED light will harden the polish within seconds and the drying time is not necessary.
What am I paying for during a deluxe appointment?
A deluxe nail appointment is more expensive because of the additional services provided, including exfoliation, oils, lotion, paraffin wax, designs, extensions, and more. These appointments take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. If you’re interested in treating yourself, a deluxe manicure or pedicure will certainly do the trick!
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is when the technician removes dead skin by gently scrubbing the skin. These scrubs leave the skin feeling clean, smooth, and fresh. While this service is beneficial, it can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.
Oil, lotion, or wax
Other products that amplify the spa experience are oil, lotion, and paraffin wax. Oils and lotions are quick ways to hydrate the skin on the feet and calves, which will last for a shorter period of time. Meanwhile, paraffin wax is a hot wax that hydrates the skin and reduces calluses for days after the appointment.
Design, French tips, and multiple colors
Deluxe appointments offer aesthetic services like designs, French tips, and multiple colors, but may cost $10-$20 more.
How often should I get my nails done?
Your nails can last around two to three weeks depending on the type of treatment you got and how well you care for your nails. If you want your manicure or pedicure to last longer, a more expensive service like gel polish can last around four weeks. Since your nail artist works closely with your nails, they’re able to provide you with an accurate time frame as well.
Can’t I just do my own nails?
Yes, you can do your own nails. Convenience stores and beauty supply stores sell polish and tools that can help you get close to salon results. However, professionals have access to more tools and professional-grade polish, and they train with a steady hand to create stunning designs.
How can I get the best value out of my manicure and pedicure appointments?
You can get the best value out of your manicure and pedicure appointments by looking for packages, asking about discounts, bringing your own polish, and asking for regrowth services like fills.
Some salons have packages that include a variety of services at a discounted price, which is a great way to get the best bang for your buck. Occasionally, professionals offer discounted prices for holidays, student clients, and returning customers. Not all salons provide these discounts, so calling around for the best price and offers will save time.
The price of materials and time spent determines the cost of a nail appointment. Bringing your own polish reduces the cost of materials. Choosing a fill instead of a full set lessens the amount of chemicals being applied to the nail, increases longevity of a previous manicure, and saves money.
Professional manicures and pedicures can be expensive, even with ways to make them cheaper. If these services are out of your budget, you can do an at-home manicure or pedicure. However, it is safest to go to a professional for their access to materials, expertise, and advice.
How can I make my nails last longer?
After a nail appointment or doing your nails yourself, you may wonder how you can make them last longer. There are many ways to do so:
- Don’t soak your nails
- Push back cuticles
- Use nourishing polish with conditioning ingredients
- Use no-chip polish
- Let polish set and dry completely
- Wear gloves when handling harsh chemicals
- Apply nail oil
How can I find a good nail artist near me?
Finding a good nail artist can be tough. Luckily, there are resources available to help. Reading directories and asking for recommendations from friends, family, or even a stranger with fabulous nails can help.
In this day and age, finding reviews, portfolios, and recommendations is as easy as pressing a button. Social media and review websites are great tools that show photos of each technician’s capabilities.
When scrolling through information online, it’s important to find an artist with patience, attention to detail, and experience with the look you’re going for.
Now that you know how much a professional pedicure and manicure is, it’s time to book your appointment. Look through our community of nail artists to find a nail tech near you.
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