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
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