Prevailing Wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists
The prevailing wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists (SOC 39-5092) is set by the DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Manicurist roles through senior Nail Technician (Nail Tech) positions. The floor shifts considerably by city, so a sponsored offer that clears the threshold in one metro may fall short in another.
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Level 1 covers entry-level nail technicians with limited experience, typically following standard procedures under direct supervision, performing routine manicures and pedicures with minimal independent judgment. Most candidates at this level are new to the occupation or recently licensed.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Manicurists and Pedicurists. It applies to qualified technicians who work independently, handle a full range of nail services, and bring moderate experience without requiring close oversight.
Level 3 covers experienced nail professionals who handle complex techniques, may train junior staff, and exercise significant judgment in service delivery. Candidates at this level typically have several years of consistent client-facing work and a broader technical skill set.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lead or senior nail technicians who set standards, oversee salon operations or teams, and may develop service menus or training protocols. This level reflects top-of-range expertise and organizational responsibility within the occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm which nail services your LCA covers
LCA filings for nail technicians often list only a general title. If your offer includes specialty services like gel extensions or nail art, confirm the filed SOC code and job duties reflect that scope, since misaligned filings can affect prevailing wage level placement.
Watch for low-paying metros before accepting
Prevailing wages for nail technicians vary sharply by metro. Some markets, including certain Southern and Puerto Rico locations, post L1 floors well below the national median. Verify the worksite city on your LCA matches where you will actually work before signing an offer.
Search Migrate Mate for employers with sponsorship history
Nail salon and spa employers who have sponsored Manicurists and Pedicurists before are easier to work with than first-time sponsors. Migrate Mate shows which employers have an actual H-1B or green card sponsorship track record for this occupation, so you can target outreach efficiently.
Understand why tip income does not satisfy prevailing wage
Many nail technicians earn a significant share of total compensation through tips. DOL prevailing wage compliance is based on the guaranteed base wage only. Tips, commission splits, and product upsell bonuses cannot be counted toward meeting the required floor on your LCA.
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Find Jobs for Manicurists and PedicuristsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 39-5092.00 alongside Manicurists and Pedicurists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Manicurist Prevailing Wage
Manicurist Prevailing Wage
Manicurist positions fall under SOC 39-5092.00 (Manicurists and Pedicurists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Nail Technician (Nail Tech) Prevailing Wage
Nail Technician (Nail Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Nail Technician (Nail Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-5092.00 (Manicurists and Pedicurists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Pedicurist Prevailing Wage
Pedicurist Prevailing Wage
Pedicurist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-5092.00 (Manicurists and Pedicurists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employer surveys. For SOC 39-5092, the agency maps reported wages into four levels based on experience and responsibility. Employers file a Labor Condition Application through OFLC certifying they will pay at least the applicable level wage at the specific worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and autonomy. Level 1 is entry-level with direct supervision; Level 2 is independent qualified work; Level 3 is experienced with some leadership duties; Level 4 is fully competent senior or lead scope. Your employer's LCA specifies which level they filed at. Review the LCA job duties description carefully, since a mismatch between actual responsibilities and the filed level can create compliance problems for the employer.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role differ so much from city to city?
DOL uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the prevailing wage reflects what employers in each metropolitan area actually pay for the occupation. Dense urban markets and high cost-of-living metros tend to produce higher survey wages, while smaller or lower-wage markets produce lower floors. Critically, the wage that applies is tied to the worksite address listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters, so a multi-location nail salon must use the prevailing wage for each location where you will work.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a certified LCA, and therefore cannot petition for an H-1B or employment-based green card, unless the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable prevailing wage level. If the offer falls short, the employer must increase the base salary before filing. USCIS will deny petitions supported by LCAs that fail to meet the DOL wage floor, and OFLC can audit or revoke certifications for noncompliance.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Manicurists and Pedicurists in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website, select SOC code 39-5092, and enter the metropolitan area matching your worksite. The tool returns the current prevailing wage for each of the four levels in that location. Cross-check the level against the duties described in your offer letter. You can also review publicly available LCA disclosure data through OFLC to see what other employers have filed for this occupation in your target city.
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