Market Research

Read our annual industry study, with information on market size, number of nail technicians, service prices, compensation survey, demographics, and top service trends. 


 

2019-2020

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • How much do nail techs earn on average?
  • What nail services are most popular?
  • What are nail techs' greatest business challenges?
Download the 2019 Big Book Statistics here
2018-2019

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Number of nail techs and nail salons in the U.S.
  • What types of further training do nail techs attend?
  • Why do clients choose the salons they visit most frequently?
Download the 2018 Big Book Statistics here
2017-2018

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Nail Techs Are Solo Artists: A Majority Are the Only Tech in the Salon
  • Nails Are a Second Career: 41% of Techs Start Beauty School After 30
  • Thursdays Surpass Saturdays as the Busiest Day of the Week
Download the 2017 Big Book Statistics here
2016-2017

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Nail Techs' Earning Represent Half of Family Income
  • Most Nail Techs Say They Had a Good School Experience
  • The Majority of Nail Techs Are Positive About the Industry.
  • Building and Retaining Clientele.
Download the 2016 Big Book Statistics here
2015-2016

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Nails is a popular second career
  • 92% of nail techs are on Pinterest; Snapchat rising at 32%
  • Nearly half of nail techs are 80-100% booked
  • Weathering the New York Times story
  • Half of family household income comes from you
  • Only 57% charge regularly for nail art
  • Acrylic prices continue downward trend
Download the 2015 Big Book Statistics here
2014-2015

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • 63% of techs will do more education this year
  • Instagram & Twitter more popular, Facebook less
  • Service pricing not keeping pace with inflation
  • Nail techs seeking online education
  • Retail incentivizing declines
  • Gels up (again!), acrylics down, wraps return
Download the 2014 Big Book Statistics here
2013-2014

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Money spent on salon services grows 12%
  • Vietnamese salons represent more than half the U.S. nail industry
  • Gel-polish growth continues unabated
  • Social media increasingly important for salons
  • YouTube use for business up 151%
  • 94% of nail techs use smartphones
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2012-2013

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Record-breaking growth: $7.47 billion in nail services
  • Booth rental rates decline slightly
  • Gel-polish continues its service dominance
  • Celebrities & nail art — biggest influences on the industry
  • 32% of salons add new services in 2012
  • Nail techs embrace online tools, social media
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2011-2012

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Get a light! Everyone's doing gels
  • Service income now $7.3 billion
  • Service prices up in every category
  • 74% of nail techs use a smartphone
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2010-2011

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Salon service volume increases 3.5%
  • 34% of nail salons added services this year... and 66% of those added gels
  • Salons using Facebook grow from 4% to 50%
  • 66% of nail techs don't receive any incentive on retail sales
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2009-2010

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Overall industry size, number of nail salons and nail techs flat
  • 95% of nail techs say “environmental consciousness” is important to them
  • Number of nail salons with websites increases by 46%
  • Facebook marketing grows by 300%
  • Top 5 nail salon and service trends are instant money makers
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2008-2009

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Salon service prices up 17%
  • Internet use grows among Vietnamese salons
  • High-profit foot care leads service trends
  • 70% of nail techs care about green salon issues
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2007-2008

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • The key to improving business? Go upscale!
  • Overall business drops, but prices hold steady
  • 30% of salons add new services; colored acrylics and gels the favorites
  • Feet lead! New pedicure services and enhanced toenails most popular
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
2006-2007

Industry Statistics Highlights

  • Overall market down 3%, but outlook still optimistic
  • New service trends provide unlimited potential
  • Vietnamese salons now outnumber all others
  • Business increased for half of all nail salons
  • Gel nails are the most frequently added new service
Download the entire statistics section for $4.95
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