What should you do if you don’t like your job filing nails? If you see your technician frequently at the salon, is it still necessary to give them a gift?
How Much to Tip at the Nail Salon? 15-20% of the service cost (before tax) is the typical tip that is advised for nail salon services. It depends on you, but some people will tip more than 20% if the service was inexpensive and the original tip was less than $3 or if they were extremely pleased with the work.
In this article, we’ve got your back because we talked to top salon experts about what you ought to do when you go to a nail salon.
Please read on.
Table of Contents
How Much To Tip At The Nail Salon?
What customers do: The typical suggested tip for nail salon services ranges from 15% to 20% of the service fee (before tax). It’s ultimately up to you, but some people will tip more than 20% if the service is inexpensive and the tip would otherwise be less than $3 or if they are incredibly happy with the work.
The staff at the nail salon would like you to do the following:
Experts agree that the cost of a tip is reasonable for that price range when it comes to tipping. The best currency is cash.
Using a credit card has the disadvantage that you can’t always be certain that the technician who assisted you will be able to receive the full tip. Of course, doing business in this manner is dishonest, but it does happen.
Some nail technicians keep an eye out for clients who don’t tip and may give them subpar service.
Typically, the nail salon expects that basic services be paid for and tips are only given as a privilege if you received good service.
Does Your Manicurist Deserve A Gratuity?
“Absolutely, 100 percent yes,” says Masterclass Nail Academy was started by celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, who is based in New York City. “The tip should be part of the final price that a client expects to pay,” she says. “For instance, if your service costs $50, you should consider it to cost $60.”
Despite the fact that 20% is more typical at nail salons, the industry standard minimum tip is 15%, according to Kandalec. This is comparable to what is expected when leaving a tip at a hair salon, or for a massage or spa service.
Remember to factor in any discounts you may have received, such as Groupon, when figuring out how much to tip your manicurist.
What If I Simply Had My Nails Polished?
Whether you requested a quick paint job or a full set of acrylic nails with holiday accents, the tip you give should reflect the level of expertise you experienced from your manicurist, not just the service you purchased.
“I like to think of it as compensating the artist for their time,” Kandalec says. “For a more specialized or thorough service, tip higher: 17 to 18% for a manicure and 20 to 25% for a new set with nail art. “
Whatever you may have accomplished, leaving a tip is both a kind gesture and a portion of the nail technician’s overall payment. When figuring out how much to tip at the nail salon, keep that in mind. The money is appreciated and needed even if the job was straightforward. “Personally, I never tip less than $5,” Kandalec says.
Tipping Etiquette At The Nail Salon
If you’ve ever worked for tips, you’re aware that cash is typically preferred because it can be put right in your pocket after the shift is over. Your manicurist shares the same sentiments.
“Tips that come from your credit card can take a week or two to get into our hands, and are subject to credit card fees, too,” Kandalec says.
In a restaurant, you can leave a cash tip on the table or in the check holder next to your receipt. Options differ slightly at a nail salon.
“Most salons have envelopes at the front desk when you pay, and I’ve seen lock boxes that you can slip them into,” Kandalec says. “To take it a step further, I’ll smile and say, “I left you a little something at the front desk,” as I bid my technician farewell, so they will know it is there. Believe me, we appreciate the mention a lot.”
In addition, Kandalec advises leaving the bill partially tucked under a towel at the technician’s station if they work independently and there is no front desk staff to leave cash with.
Other Tipping Considerations At A Nail Salon
To avoid making etiquette mistakes, our experts offer some additional tips for tipping at nail salons:
- Don’t leave a tip that is less than $5. Consider rounding up the tip to $5 if you are only receiving a change in nail polish color for $20.
- You should base your tip on the standard rate for the service if you’re using a coupon, discount code, or gift card.
- Give your regular nail technician a holiday tip that is about the same size as your regular salon visit. Place the money and a thoughtful note in an envelope.
- Consider leaving a positive online review for your nail technician in addition to giving them money if you’re a satisfied customer. This has the potential to be equally important and beneficial to a salon as tips.
Should You Leave A Larger Tip For Particular Services?
Not all nail services demand the same amount of labor. How much should you tip an acrylic nail technician, for instance? And what percentage do you leave for gel nails? These services require a lot more effort than a typical manicure. Here are a few times when you should consider tipping 25% or more, according to our experts:
- if you have particularly damaged nails.
- If you receive any extras, such as longer hand massages or hand-drawn nail art.
- If you’re getting a full set of acrylic nails, gel nails, dip nails or other “nails” built from scratch (though tip fill-ins and touch-ups can be tipped the regular rate).
- if you ask them to imitate a challenging design you saw online, such as specialized fall nails, winter nails, or spring nails.
For A Pedicure, How Much Should You Tip?
When it comes to nail care, toes are no different from fingers. As a result, Wilson advises that you adhere to the same tipping customs for pedicures, which are between 15% and 20%. Check out these easy steps for the ideal DIY pedicure at home if you’re on a tight budget.
How Much Should You Tip For A $50 Pedicure?
What customers do: On a $50 pedicure, a 20% tip, which is customary, would equal $10.
What nail techs at nail salons want you to do: If the service was good, leave a tip of at least 20%. We have generous clients who tip 20% most of the time
How Much Should You Tip For A $75 Pedicure?
What customers do: Tip 20% here as well, so on a $75 pedicure, leave a $15 gratuity.
To assist customers in figuring out how much to tip, many nail salons now print a tip calculator onto receipts.
How much does a pedicure cost? Location, service level, high-end or low-cost salons, additional services, etc. are just a few of the variables that affect pedicure prices. A standard or classic pedicure can also be described as basic or typical.
What If You’re Not Satisfied With The Work Your Nails Did?
What a lot of customers do: When customers are angry, they frequently leave smaller tips or outright refuse to tip. By using websites like Yelp, customers can share their experiences with the world.
What the staff at the nail salon would like you to do: “While tips make a nail tech’s job more rewarding, they are insufficient to teach them how to become more skilled in their trade. Clients’ constructive criticism is welcomed by nail salon technicians; however, any specific feedback should ideally be given verbally rather than as a tip.
The majority of the time, customers are so preoccupied with their electronic device during nail services that they don’t notice anything amiss until the job is complete.
Your attention is important to nail technicians, so they encourage you to raise any concerns you have. When they fix it, you will be satisfied and can go home happy.
When venting your frustrations, be considerate of the other person’s feelings and use gentle language. Instead of an emotional outburst, it will probably lead to a better conversation.
Should You Give Cash As A Tip?
If at all possible, pay in cash and give it to your nail technician. According to Moore, this prevents salon owners from delaying payment and ensures that the entire tip goes to the person who performed the service for you. Should you give a tip to the nail salon proprietor? Unless the owner is the one performing the work, this is not required. Leave a positive online review and recommend the salon to others if you want to support the salon owner.
If You Don’t Like Your Nails, Should You Tip?
The first thing to do if you’re unhappy with your nails for any reason is to talk to your nail technician and give them the option to make it right, advises Wilson. When the problem has been resolved to your satisfaction, she advises leaving your customary tip or even a little extra because they went above and beyond. Even if you’re afraid to speak up in the salon, leave a tip—even a small one like 10%—for the staff.
“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.”
How Much Do Nail Technicians Make?
It’s crucial to first comprehend how much nail technicians are paid without tips before delving into the specifics of how much to tip for nails. According to Salary.com, the average hourly wage for a nail technician in the United States as of April 2022 is $10, with most techs earning between $9 and $12 per hour. Education, licensure, and years spent on the job all play a part in determining that number and how a manicurist is making a paycheck. While some nail technicians are paid hourly while working in a salon, others, like Dantzler, are paid on a commission basis. And as a result, the nail technician only receives the predetermined portion of your final bill when you pay it.
Bottom line? “The only thing that doesn’t get touched at all is tips,” Dantzler says.
Knowing this prior to tipping is especially crucial because full-time nail salon employees typically earn considerably less than the national average for full-time employees in the US. The average hourly wage for all Americans is $20.18, according to a 2018 UCLA Labor Center study of the nail salon industry. However, the average hourly wage for a nail technician is $9.06, which is, in fact, less than half of the average wage. (And keep in mind, that’s just the average; many nail technicians earn much less than that $9 per hour.)
Does It Matter If I Leave A Cash Tip?
If you do plan to tip, there’s one thing you’ll want to keep in mind: Dantzler advises choosing cash if you can, even if your salon allows tips to be added to your bill and charged to a card.
“Cash tips are better for nail technicians because we can keep it right when we get it,” she says, adding that when tips are added to a credit card, a manicurist won’t see that money until payday. But there’s another part of the equation that’s less obvious: “Additionally, the salon owners benefit from having to deal with less paperwork and taxes.”
No matter how you decide to tip, Smith advises avoiding a common misconception: assuming tips are shared. Make sure you take the time to divide the tips among the people who assisted you, such as if someone buffs your calloused feet while another paints them. (Another justification for selecting cash over a single, large credit card tip.)
Bottom line? “Tipping should be basic nail etiquette,” Dantzler says. “Even though it may not seem like much, everything adds up and is still very helpful.”
