Do you have an artistic flair, and an excellent eye for detail? Then a career as a nail technician could be your perfect match. Studying nail technology is a great way to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience you’ll need to impress potential employers. So why not check out our selection of courses and start your journey today?
If you become a nail technician, your role will involve an interesting range of tasks including:
While there’s no standard route to qualifying as a nail technician, studying nail technology will definitely boost your chances of landing your first job.
There are plenty of flexible study options on offer, including online courses, classroom-based courses and apprenticeships. You can study full-time and gain the skills you need in as little as a week, or study part-time and fit your studies around your current commitments.
If you’re aiming to become a self-employed nail technician, we’d also recommend taking a short business course, as this will enable you to develop the skills you’ll need to run your business.
Keen to kickstart your career in a nail salon, beauty salon or spa? Then you’ll probably be working a 38-40 hour week, which is likely to include some weekends and possibly some evenings. Self-employed nail technicians are able to choose their own working hours, but if you choose this option, you will need to put in extra hours to get your business off the ground.
According to PayScale, nail technicians currently earn between £15,000-£21,000. However, if you include extras such as commission based work and bonuses, this rises to around £24,000.
Once you’re working as a nail technician, you’ll be responsible for the health and safety of your clients, so you’ll be expected to keep your equipment scrupulously clean. You’ll also be using a variety of chemicals, which will need to be stored with care. Most nail technicians keep themselves safe by wearing some kind of protective uniform and a mask.
As a qualified nail technician, you’ll have access to jobs in a wide range of environments including nail salons, nail bars, beauty salons, hairdressing salons, health clubs and spas. You could even opt to work on a cruise ship! Once you’ve gained plenty of experience, you’ll be able to move into a management role or set up your own business.
If you’d rather be your own boss and work flexible hours, why not consider becoming a mobile nail technician? 53% of nail technicians are currently self-employed, so this is a very popular career pathway.
Strong verbal communication skills are essential If you’re planning to become a nail technician, as you’ll be spending long periods of time with your customers. You might also find yourself working with other professionals such as beauty therapists and hairdressers, particularly if you opt for a job in a beauty salon or spa.
Here are some of the other skills and personality traits that will help you to succeed:
