Nail technician job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed nail technicians about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed nail technicians about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Imaginative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Persuading
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a nail technician
Nail beauticians often work in a spa or salon with a team of other beauty professionals. Some work as sole traders and run their businesses from home. A typical day as a nail technician involves seeing a range of clients who have different treatments booked in for their nails.
A nail technician’s tasks can include:
- Performing manicures and pedicures on clients
- Designing nail art, applying nail enhancements and extensions
- Ensuring industry hygiene and service standards and practices are met
- Giving hand and foot massages
- Upselling treatments and products for clients’ nails where appropriate
- Preparing nails and skin for treatments
- Taking bookings and payments/managing booking system
- Cleaning work stations between clients
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Flexible hours
A role as a nail technician can be flexible and tailored to fit around other life responsibilities. For example, busier times tend to be outside of regular work hours, so weekend and evening shifts may offer you time in the week to cater to family or further study.
Enjoyable
A job in a nail salon is no tedious desk job. If you love to create beautiful things, work well in a team environment and like to meet new people every day, a career as a nail tech can be incredibly fun.
High paying
Once you’ve got a bit of experience under your belt, being a nail tech can pay well by the hour. And if you decide to start your own business, you’ll have uncapped earnings, meaning it can become quite a lucrative career.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a nail technician
As a large part of the beauty industry, nail technicians have seen moderate job growth in the market over the last five years. Reports predict that this upward trend will continue for the next five years, with beauty therapists to see a rise of around 20% by 2024.
A role as a nail technician can be flexible and perfect for those who have other life responsibilities. The majority of workers in the beauty industry are part-time, with full-time workers only accounting for 39%.
A nail technician’s salary can vary on experience and skill level. Like many jobs, if you choose to branch out on your own or start a company, you have a much higher earning potential.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A career as a nail tech can be fulfilling for a long time and can lead to owning your own business. It can also be a great position to launch your beauty career and give you access to many other job types in the beauty industry.
Some pathway options could be:
Junior
-
Eyelash and eyebrow technician
Most common qualification: Eyelash or eyebrow certificate
-
Nail technician
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Nail Technology (SHB30315)
-
Beautician
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30115)
Mid
-
Beauty therapist
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
-
Makeup artist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
-
Laser therapist
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
-
Special effects makeup artist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) (CUA51020)
-
Dermal therapist
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Senior
-
Dermal clinician
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies)
-
Salon manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Salon Management (SHB50216)
-
Cosmetic nurse
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Nursing
-
Laser technician
Most common qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working closely with customers and making them feel great about their nails requires specific soft skills. These skills are often as critical as any technical skills and can be developed naturally or acquired through life or previous job experience.
Some essential, human-centric skills you already have could be:
Social skills
Part of the job as a nail technician is to create an environment where clients feel welcome, safe and comfortable. A warm and approachable nature and the ability to have a casual, friendly chat while you work can make the experience more enjoyable for both yourself and your client.
Creativity
A natural ability to create beautiful designs and a desire to fine-tune and develop nail art skills makes becoming a nail tech much more manageable and the role far more fulfilling.
Time management
A busy day in a nail salon means a packed diary of customers looking forward to new gorgeous hands and feet. Good time management skills are needed to ensure you don’t run behind or let anyone down.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
There are vital skills needed to have the best chance at getting an entry-level job as a nail technician. Along with your natural creative and personal abilities, these learned skills ensures your customers’ safety and happiness.
An accredited training course gives you the skills you need and makes you an attractive prospect to future employers.
Some technical skills required are:
Nail art design
Application of acrylic nail enhancements and gel nail enhancements
Occupational health and safety practices
Healthcare knowledge and first aid
Infection control regulations and guidelines
Safe use of chemicals
Safe use of equipment and tools
Handling salon financial transactions
How to become a nail technician
-
Study
Nail technician courses like the Cert III in Nail Technology (SHB30315) provided by a private provider or RTO (registered training organisation) can be flexible, affordable and is the best way to prepare yourself for a role as a nail tech. A qualification in nail technology or beauty therapy provides the technical skills needed to work confidently, and successful completion can open you up to greater career opportunities.
-
Further study
Existing qualified nail technicians that wish to refine their skills, specialise in a particular service or start their own business can upskill through advanced nail or beauty courses.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate III in Nail Technology
A Cert III in Nail Technology (SHB30315) covers everything you need to carve out your new career as a nail technician. The course teaches practical units in high-quality services like manicure and pedicures, acrylic and gel nails and nail art.
Coursework also covers skills in customer service, beauty industry knowledge and running your own business, including marketing and administration.
The average course duration is six months and can be studied full or part-time and online, face-to-face or a combination of both.
Fee concessions are available to eligible students, and payment options are available from many training organisations.
2 providers offer this course
Advanced Nails Certificate
An Advanced Nails Cert is an excellent course for those who wish to polish their nail technician skills or start their own business in the beauty industry.
This course covers the fundamentals of manicure and pedicure services, with advanced nail treatments such as acrylic nails, gel nails, sculpting and nail art. You can complete this course at your own pace, but it generally takes 4-6 weeks.
This course can be studied online, and payment options are available from most course providers.
2 providers offer this course
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
A Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) reflects the role of a beauty therapist that works in a spa or beauty salon and covers a broad scope of beauty services, including massage, lash and brow treatments, facials, body treatments and nail treatments.
This course is a good option if you want a more extensive skill set in the beauty industry or run a salon.
The average course duration is one year and can be achieved full-time or part-time. Online learning and face-to-face delivery methods are used and depend on the course provider.
Government-subsidised fees are available to eligible students, and some training organisations provide payment plans.
2 providers offer this course
Related subjects
The beauty industry is vast, and jobs can come in all shapes and sizes. If you’d like to explore different roles, plenty of other jobs are available to you.
Some other subjects that might interest you:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Amy
Nov 04 2021Sense of community.
What are the best parts of the job?
Being part of a community of nail techs, creative people and small business owners who support each other.
What's the most challenging part?
Nothing — it's all good.
Liz
Nov 05 2021Making clients nails look amazing.
What are the best parts of the job?
Seeing the finished project of my clients nails.
What's the most challenging part?
Shaping peoples nails to meet their standards can be tricky sometimes, people can be quite specific.
Sarah
Nov 03 2021Good, but a job's a job.
What are the best parts of the job?
I enjoy my job, but honestly work is just work, and the best part is probably getting paid.
What's the most challenging part?
As I said, at the end of the day work is work.
Related articles
A career as a nail technician offers enjoyment, flexibility and variety. The role allows you to use your natural creativity, socialise and help make people feel good about themselves. If the opportunity to work in this rewarding job seems perfect for you, you can access a vast catalogue of resources to help you on your way.
You can start with this article on becoming a beautician or beauty therapist.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A role as a nail technician involves pampering others, beautifying their nails and making them feel relaxed and comfortable. This career is well suited to the personality of The Carer.
The Carer loves to work in an environment where other people are the main focus. They want to make others feel their best, and their warm, personable nature allows their clients to feel at ease in their presence.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nail technician earn?
In Australia, the average salary for a nail technician is $49,868.00. Experienced technicians, sole traders and business owners can earn significantly more.
What makes a good nail technician?
A good nail technician has had training in nail treatment techniques, is creative and loves to look after others.
What skills do you need to be a nail technician?
Nail technicians need skills and knowledge in the beauty industry. They need to know how to perform nail services safely and effectively and need strong time management and communication skills.
How do you become a mobile nail technician?
To become a self-employed mobile nail technician, you need to have high-level skills in nail services, excellent customer management, and work well independently.
Some things you need to get started:
- Put together a marketing and business plan
- Register yourself as a sole trader
- Implement a booking and payment system
- Purchase products to use for your clients
- Ensure you have all of the tools of the trade
- A mode of transport
Can you become a nail technician online?
You can study to become a nail tech online with many course providers. Some qualifications require you also to take part in a work placement to gain practical skills in a salon environment.