Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Manicurists and Pedicurists in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$36,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $35,760
State Rank
#20 of 49
39,210 employed here

How much do Manicurists and Pedicurists make in California?

Manicurists and Pedicurists working in California earn a median salary of $36,630 per year, or about $17.61 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $35,760 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,840 while the top 10% make $47,260 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,480 and $39,590 a year.

Manicurists and Pedicurists salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,840$16.75
25th percentile (early career)$35,480$17.06
50th percentile (median)$36,630$17.61
75th percentile (experienced)$39,590$19.03
90th percentile (top earners)$47,260$22.72

How California compares

California ranks 20th out of 49 states and territories for Manicurists and Pedicurists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$60,790
2Nebraska$56,940
3Washington$49,900
4Maine$48,540
5Alaska$47,890

Working as Manicurists and Pedicurists in California

Nationally, about 153,000 people work as Manicurists and Pedicurists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($36,630) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Manicurists and Pedicurists make in California?
The median Manicurists and Pedicurists salary in California is $36,630 per year, or about $17.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,840 at the entry level to $47,260 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Manicurists and Pedicurists about 2% more than the national median of $35,760. California ranks 20th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Manicurists and Pedicurists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,630 a year. About 39,210 Manicurists and Pedicurists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Manicurists and Pedicurists salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.