Here’s How Much to Tip at the Nail Salon
Updated: Aug. 13, 2024
Don't let a headache over how much to tip at the nail salon ruin the fun of getting your next manicure. We've done the math for you!
There’s little confusion about whether or not to tip a manicurist—90% of Americans say they tip when getting their nails done, according to a survey by eTip. But do you know how much to tip at a nail salon? If you held up your perfectly manicured acrylics in an “I don’t know” gesture, well, you’re not alone.
“Tipping at nail salons can feel more confusing than other places because it can depend on so many different factors,” says Chelsea Lee, a licensed manicurist with 13 years of experience who chats with me while doing a manicure on a client.
I ask the woman if it’s strange to listen to me interview her nail tech about tipping while being in the customer’s chair. “This is great,” the client replies, as Lee removes her old pink polish. “This is all information people need to know but are too scared to ask! It’s so complicated.”
“Figuring how much to tip a nail tech doesn’t have to be complicated,” Lee says as she files the woman’s nails, pausing to ask if she likes the shape. (She does). “It’s pretty simple if you remember one rule.”
To find out that one big rule and the thing that’s worse than leaving no tip at all, I spoke with Lee, certified nail tech and salon owner Jemma Wilson and two etiquette experts, Diane Gottsman and Sharon-Frances Moore. Read on to find out the answers to these nail-tipping and etiquette questions, whether you’re getting a manicure, pedicure or another service.
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Do you have to tip at a nail salon?
Yes. “Nail technicians are a part of the beauty service industry, and in the United States, it’s customary to tip service workers,” says Gottsman, a tipping etiquette expert and the author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life. “They rely on tips to make a good portion of their income, so you should always tip the person giving you a manicure or pedicure.”
And, Lee adds, “you should plan to tip every time, whether you are getting a full-service mani-pedi or ordering a service a la carte.” (A la carte services include things like nail polish removal, a polish color change, nail trim, or hand or foot massage.)
How much to tip your nail tech
The general rule for how much to tip at a nail salon is 20% of the total bill. This is the one rule that Lee alluded to earlier. Gottsman agrees, adding, “20% is the base tip for a good service. If you got great service, tip 25% or more.”
What does it look like if you’re tipping 20% on your manicure?
- $25 manicure: $5 tip
- $50 spa manicure: $10 tip
- $65 gel manicure: $13 tip
The customary tip may be more or less depending on what region of the country you are in, if you’re in a larger or smaller city, the size of the salon, or if you’re at a luxury or resort spa, says Wilson. “If you’re not sure what the normal tip expected is, give the salon a call before heading in,” she says. But generally speaking, you can’t go wrong with 20% for a manicure or any other nail service, per accepted tipping etiquette.
How much to tip for a pedicure
As with a manicure, 20% is the standard tip for a pedicure. Toes are no different than fingers when it comes to nail care, and your nail tech really isn’t judging your feet or thinking that they are “gross,” Lee says. However, she does acknowledge that pedicures—particularly those that involve massages, callus removal or other foot services—take a lot more time than manicures. This is why pedicures are priced higher than manicures, and as a result, why your tip will be bigger: The 20% tip will be based on the pedicure’s higher price.
When you should tip your nail tech more
While 20% is the minimum, our experts say that when deciding the gratuity for a pedicure, manicure or other nail service, you should consider tipping a higher percentage if:
- You love how your nails turned out, and they exceeded your expectations.
- Your nails were in really rough shape and required extra care before starting the service.
- You asked them to replicate a complicated design you found online.
- Your manicurist went above and beyond, spending extra time helping you.
- You ordered extras, like nail gems or hand-drawn art.
- You have a special relationship with your nail tech.
- It’s the holiday season.
- You’re getting your nails done for a special occasion that requires more time, like a wedding.
- You’re getting a large group manicure.
How to tip at a nail salon
Cash tips are always preferred, says Moore, president of Shances, a New York–based business etiquette company. “This ensures that the full tip goes to the person who did the work for you, and it avoids delayed payouts by salon owners,” she explains.
Plus, nail techs particularly appreciate it because they can use it immediately and don’t get taxes taken out of it. (U.S. workers are supposed to pay taxes on tips over a certain amount.) If you can, hit the ATM before heading to your appointment. If not, says Gottsman, plan to add the tip to your credit card bill, if the salon allows it. (Call ahead because not all do.)
How to tip at a nail salon for group services
If you are getting a group nail service—like pedis for a girls’ night out, a mommy-and-me spa day or a group of bridesmaids getting matching manis—tell the techs at the beginning whether you’d like each person to pay separately or if one person is footing the whole bill. If you are paying for a group of people, understand that there are multiple nail techs serving the whole group and each of them should be tipped.
“You can leave a tip in a lump sum, but please tell us how you’d like it divided,” Lee says. “Normally, people just tell us to split it evenly.” But, she says, sometimes there’s one nail artist who does a lot more of the technical work while another worker may just do the polish removals, so in that case, you might want to give a larger amount to the person who did the most work and then tell them to split the rest among the others.
When to tip your nail tech
Tip your nail tech after the services are finished, usually by paying at the front desk, Gottsman says. The front-desk staff will likely ask if you want to leave a tip so that you don’t forget, similar to when you’re paying your bill and tipping at a hair salon. For manicures, some salons will ask you to pay (and tip) before they apply the polish so you don’t mess up your mani when getting out your credit card or cash, so be prepared for this to happen earlier than you might expect.
What is worse than leaving no tip?
“Tipping only $1 or $2 is a slap in the face—it’s like you’re trying to be insulting,” Lee says. “I’d rather get no tip and a sincere thank-you than a super cheap tip.”
Lee recounts the story of one customer who closed out her bill and left a $1 tip, then said: “Your tip would have been better if you hadn’t cut my cuticles.” Instead of using the tip as a way to show displeasure, tell the manicurist in the moment so they can remedy it, Gottsman says.
Lee saw that client’s move more as a money-saving tactic, saying that some people will come up with any excuse when paying their bill to avoid leaving a decent tip. Regardless of the reason, this type of tip shows that you remembered to tip yet thought so little of the service or the technician that you are choosing to tip them very badly. Don’t ever tip less than $5, regardless of the final cost, Moore adds.
Do you still tip your nail tech if you’re using a coupon or gift certificate?
Yes, you should tip at least 20% based on the regular cost of the service, before using a coupon or gift certificate, Gottsman says. So if a pedicure normally costs $100, tip $20 even if you have a coupon that discounts it to $80 or a gift card that covers the full cost. Skipping or reducing a tip when using a coupon is one of the most common etiquette mistakes, so be sure you don’t fall into that trap!
Should you tip if you’re unhappy with your manicure or pedicure?
Yes, you should still tip even if you aren’t 100% satisfied with how your nails turned out, Lee says, because the nail tech did do a lot of work and presumably you are satisfied with most of it. If the color isn’t exactly the shade you wanted, the shape is a little off or they weren’t able to do the design exactly like the picture that you brought, discuss it with your nail tech and give them the option to fix it.
“Your manicurist should be checking in with you regularly throughout the service to make sure you like the shape, color, design, etc.,” Lee says. “Be attentive and answer honestly. If you’re so distracted by your phone that you don’t look up until the end, that’s on you.” If see something you don’t like, point it out politely, and once the issue is fixed to your satisfaction, pay your standard tip or even a little bit more, since they went the extra mile, Wilson suggests. If you’re afraid to say something in the salon, you should still tip, but at the lesser end of the scale, like 10%.
However, if it is a disaster and they are unable to fix it or they did something that harmed your nails or your hands, then you should ask to speak to a manager about how they can make it right. You shouldn’t tip on a service that you feel you did not receive fairly.
With all this being said, tipping is optional,” Wilson notes, “and if a customer is really unhappy or had a really bad experience, they can forgo tipping altogether.”
Do you have to tip if the nail technician is also the spa owner?
“Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to tip the owner,” Gottsman says. “However, most owners will tell you that they appreciate a tip.” Even as the owner of the business, they are still working in the service industry, providing a service to you.
Another way to help a salon owner? “Leave a glowing review online, and refer other customers to the salon,” Moore says.
What if you can’t afford to leave a tip?
“If you can afford to get a manicure, then you can afford to tip for that manicure,” Gottsman says. “Tips need to be part of your budget planning before you ever make the appointment.” The same is true for other services like getting a massage or having your hair done.
That said, Lee says she understands if someone can’t afford to tip her. “Just tell me that you really appreciated my service but can’t leave a tip this time. Just be honest and genuine with me,” she says. “I am here to make you feel beautiful and special, and that’s the most important thing to me at the end of the day.”
About the experts
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this piece on how much to tip at a nail salon, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Diane Gottsman, MS, tipping etiquette expert, author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life and founder of the Protocol School of Texas; phone interview, July 24, 2024
- Sharon-Frances Moore, president of Shances; interview, August 2023
- Chelsea Lee, certified and licensed manicurist at the Life Time LifeSpa in Broomfield, Colorado; in-person interview, July 31, 2024
- Jemma Wilson, certified nail technician and founder of Almond Nails; interview, August 2023
- eTip: “Complete Guide: How to earn more tips as a nail technician”
Originally Published: August 08, 2023
