How much should a nail tech be making????

[carlystinelli]

Hey all..... I am starting a new job at a salon tomorrow and I am getting payed $7.50 an hour plus my tips to start, thats with no clients of my own yet...... I was just wondering what everyone else makes!?! In ways I did the math in my head and its not much money after child care, gas, food, parking, etc..... WHat do you guys think??.....

 

[kitkat68]

Hi. I just started at a salon a couple of months ago after taking some time off. I don't have my clientele base yet either (about 6 or so). When I first started I was making 50/50 commission and realized that I wasn't bringing home anything, so I asked them for $9.00 an hour if I purchase my own acrylic products. I got $9.00 an hour for a few weeks and they kept cutting down my hours so I finally asked them for 60/40 commission to ease the tension. It's tough when you first start and I am seeking a second job. Hang in there, some day you will be making $30.00 an hour or so depending on how much you charge for a fill and how fast you become.

 

[CDN nail chic]

$7.50 an hour sounds a bit short. Wages should depend on experience, quality of work and timing. If you can survive on $7.50 and hour stick it out and build your experience and clientelle. If you find you are retaining clients and making more money for the salon, ask for 50/50 commission. Some salons will pay you what ever is the most ( wage or your commission ). I have been in the industry for 15 yrs now, work for myself as a contractor and make over $40 a hour and choose my hours too. So you can make good money just hang in there.

Good Luck and have fun!

 

[carlystinelli]

how long did it take for you to start earning more money???? I just got a job offer that I have an interview at tomorrow at an asian salon that is going to be opening soon... the salon i just started at is a hair salon that offers everything but is very small with 2 hair dressers... Do u think id have a better shot at the asian nail salon???

 

[angel fingers]

how long did it take for you to start earning more money???? I just got a job offer that I have an interview at tomorrow at an asian salon that is going to be opening soon... the salon i just started at is a hair salon that offers everything but is very small with 2 hair dressers... Do u think id have a better shot at the asian nail salon???

$7.50 p/h seems like a low wage, whats the minimum wage in u.s.a?
well it cant hurt to go along and find out a little more.
just make sure that your training fits in with the owners business plan.
good luck for your interview and come back to us with an update.

 

[carlystinelli]

hey girls, happy to say I got the other job at the asian place!!!! They are starting me off at $300 a week then if i exceed that in wages Ill get what evers more...... Cant wait!

 

[CDN nail chic]

Congrats on the new job! Best of luck and let us know how you are liking it.

 

[angel fingers]

hey girls, happy to say I got the other job at the asian place!!!! They are starting me off at $300 a week then if i exceed that in wages Ill get what evers more...... Cant wait!

i'm so pleased for you, i hope it all works out well.
do they do things the way you have been trained, or will you have to adapt a lot of your techniques ?

 

[carlystinelli]

I can do things the way I am used to and will be the only one doing acrylic pink and whites...... Im getting 300 a week till i make more in comission..... Hopefully it all works out cause I need the money!

 

[angel fingers]

I can do things the way I am used to and will be the only one doing acrylic pink and whites...... Im getting 300 a week till i make more in comission..... Hopefully it all works out cause I need the money!

fab, it sounds like a positive step forward.:green:

 

[spakitten]

I'm so happy you've found a better job.
I live in Canada and and just started out as an esthetician. I'm making 9/hr, then 10/hr in two months. I still think it's pretty low considering I make no comission off product sales and tips arn't that great. I can choose to work fully off comission in six months, but it's a small spa and I dont think I'll have enough clients to do so.

I truely love this job, but it seems really tough to move up and make decent money! Any suggestions?

 

[october30]

You could absolutely do a lot worse that $7 or $9 an hour. A lot of technicians that start out are in a booth rental situation. You are required to pay for you own products, advertising, business cards, etc... It takes time to build a solid client base in a new place and so I feel you should be thrilled that you have a steady income. I am quite sure that as you become busier you will have more power to negotiate a higher wage, but truly, be grateful for what you have been offered. Especially if it is a nice, stable environment and the team seems happy. I also feel the same way about a 50/50 commission. This is a great opportunity for someone starting in a new place. You need to take into account all the details of your business.
Good luck. Anything worthwhile takes time, dedication, and hard work.

 

[sunkey]

Hey all..... I am starting a new job at a salon tomorrow and I am getting payed $7.50 an hour plus my tips to start, thats with no clients of my own yet...... I was just wondering what everyone else makes!?! In ways I did the math in my head and its not much money after child care, gas, food, parking, etc..... WHat do you guys think??.....

...

 

[sunkey]

Hey all..... I am starting a new job at a salon tomorrow and I am getting payed $7.50 an hour plus my tips to start, thats with no clients of my own yet...... I was just wondering what everyone else makes!?! In ways I did the math in my head and its not much money after child care, gas, food, parking, etc..... WHat do you guys think??.....

okay. i think you guys might think this is not the way it is but....
50/50 commission would be alright, but 60/40 is what it should be. i started doing nails in my ex's sisters asian nail salon and i was getting 60/40. if you can get into one of the asian nail salons you should as a #1 opportunity for you. im sorry but the asians, especially the vietnamese have this technique of doing nails like no other. and thats the style of nails i learned for the past 4 years. my opinion would is that it takes at least 1 year to even know what a nail is suppose to look like. trust me!! after the first year i think a nail tech should be making at least 700 US dollars a week.
in october i am doing booth rental in a african-american hair salon. (100USdollars per week) and i am starting over from stratch. but i know it will be successful because ive been doing nails for 4 years and i am very familiar with every kind of nail.
i couldnt imagine working doing anything for 7.50 and hour. i think you should go out and see if the asian salons would hire you.
i dont mean to offend anyone with this.
=)