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Do you have a love of fashion, art, and design? Do you have great people skills and enjoy interacting with others? If so, a career as a pedicurist might be for you! Pedicurists, also called manicurists or nail technicians, provide beauty services exclusively for nails, such as manicures, pedicures, foot massage, polishing, and fingernail extensions.

How to prepare for a career as a pedicurist

All states require nail technicians to be licensed, which typically requires graduation from a state-licensed cosmetology or nail tech school. While schools don't offer pedicurist training as its own degree program, you can perform pedicures by getting your nail technician license. Full-time nail technician degree programs vary in length, depending on state requirements. Some take as little as two months to complete. There are usually flexible options like part-time coursework and night classes, as well. Courses typically include nail art, artificial nails, sanitation, manicures, pedicures, ethics, salon management, and client relations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nail technicians make a median annual wage $22,040, with the top 10 percent earning $32,570 annually. Overall employment of personal appearance workers is projected to grow by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, while manicurist and pedicurist degree holders will see their industry grow by 19 percent, faster than average. Many job openings will be generated from continued growth in the number full-service spas and nail salons.