How Much Does a Manicure Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Manicures consist of filing, shaping the nail, massaging the hand, and applying a polish as a finishing touch, and this popular treatment can be found at any nail salon in the United States.

Manicure by kodomut, on Flickr
Manicure” (CC BY 2.0) by  kodomut

How much does a manicure cost?

A basic manicure, which involves filing and cutting the fingernails with a basic nail polish, can cost you $10 to $35 for both hands.   This will depend on the salon and the geographical location.  A standard manicure can cost $10 to $20, while a premium service could cost $20 to $35.  Acrylic nails could cost $25 to $40 for a standard procedure.  We went ahead and called a few salons across the United States and listed our findings below in the table.

One of the most popular manicure styles is the French manicure, a procedure where the nail polish is applied only at the tip of the fingernail.  Since this is a more complicated process, the price can cost $15 to $35.

Another popular type, the gel manicure, will be acrylic nails made with a powder dipped in a solvent.  This manicure, depending on how fancy you want to get, can cost anywhere from as little as $35 to more than $80.

A no-chip manicure can cost more than a traditional manicure, usually 50 to 100 percent more, while a dip powder manicure can cost $35 to $45.

A higher-end hotel or resort spa can charge $30 to $80 or more, depending on the location.

Glamour.com said the cost can range from as little as $16 to as much as $50 in a higher-end city such as New York.

Women on Reddit.com said they paid anywhere from $20 for a pedicure in Seattle to as much as $30 in Washington D.C.

CityBasic Manicure Quote
Austin, TX$15
Bay Area, CA$12 or $25 for manicure/pedicure combo
Chicago, IL$25
Dover, DE$25
Irvine, CA$15
Madison, WI$20
Mobile, AL$12
Newark, NJ$15
Seattle, WA$15
Toronto, CA$22
Washington D.C.$18

Manicure overview

During a basic manicure, the fingernail will be conditioned and cleaned before anything is applied to it.  This usually involves placing the hands and/or fingers in a lotion-infused water to soften the skin.  Once clean, the nails will be filed, shaped, scrubbed and the cuticles will be pushed back.  Lastly, the nail polish of your choice will be applied and dried if you requested it.  While getting it done, customers will sit in a larger comfortable chair while your feet sit in a small whirlpool-like tub to soak and soften the skin of the feet.  Depending on the salon, these chairs can often give massages while the pedicure is being performed.

During a no-chip manicure, the technician will apply a base coat, color and another top coat, with UV curing in between.  This application can take up to 30 minutes to perform and will last two to three weeks if done properly.

A gel manicure will only harden if your nails are exposed to a UV light.  Similar to a nail polish, a gel manicure will have a base coat, a polish color and top coat, and each of these coats will be cured under a UV light for up to three minutes.  A gel manicure can last up to three weeks.

Higher-end resorts and spas may include a hand massage before the nail polish is applied, or they can exfoliate the hands with a salt scrub that soaks for 10 minutes or so.

What are the extra costs?

There are additional services that you can have done aside from a basic manicure.  For example, if you have a broken nail and need it to be repaired, you can have silk wraps done.  This kind of service would cost $50 to $75.

Customized colors or colors that the salon currently doesn’t have or has to special order can add $10 to $20 to the original quote.

Adding french tips to the nails can cost $5 to $15.

Customizing the nails with color strands or fake gels can cost an additional 20 to 30 percent more.

Stylists will expect a tip that can range from 5 to 15 percent of the total price.

The no chip manicure requires you to go back to the salon if you want to remove it since acetone won’t work.  A professional removal can cost $25 to $35.

Tips to know:

Artificial manicure and pedicures can often be cheaper, but most can notice a difference in the quality.

How often should you get a manicure?  If you want perfect looking nails, you may have to go weekly; however, if you’re able to touch your nails up at home, then you may only have to go every two to three weeks.

Best at-home manicure sets

How can I save money?

To save on cost, get the most basic manicure whenever you visit a salon.  Don’t go too extravagant as the more complicated the manicure is, the more expensive it can get.  Also, avoid the fancy salons since most will do the same job as one up the road without the bells and whistles.

Bustle.com says choosing a full bottle of nail polish can make your pedicure last longer.

Try to buy your own manicure kit and learn how to do it yourself since it is not as hard as it looks.  This is the best way to save on getting a manicure.

Most salons will allow you to bring in your own nail polish.  This is a great way to cut down on the costs since the polish won’t have to be purchased.

Asking for a polish change instead of having a new polish applied can help you save.

If more than one person needs a manicure, many salons will offer a bulk discount if you bring in more people.  This is ideal for a girl’s night out, a wedding, etc.

Consider checking for coupons online.  Common coupon based websites, such as Groupon.com, commonly have coupons for local salons.  If Groupon doesn’t work, you can also look for common specials.  Many local salons will hold specials for those who are new customers or even returning customers.

If you really want to save, call up a few salons or check out their website before you head out.  Most will be more than happy to provide you with a quote over the phone.

Buying packages that combine a manicure can help you save up to 20 percent or more.

When it’s time to remove your nail polish, doing the job at home can get the trick done, saving you at least $20 to $40.


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