Manicurists and Pedicurists
Machines can already do 13% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 41%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Manicurists and Pedicurists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 13% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2038, and 41% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 152,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $35,760 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 71% for contact with people.
- Also called: Manicurist, Nail Technician (Nail Tech), Pedicurist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply undercoat and clear or colored polish onto nails with brush | 16% | 3% to 30% | |
| Shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, or emery boards | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Clean and sanitize tools and work environment | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare nail cuticles with water and oil, using cuticle knives to push back cuticles and scissors or nippers to trim cuticles | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Use rotary abrasive wheels to shape and smooth nails or artificial extensions | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Extend nails using powder, solvent, and paper forms attached to tips of customers' fingers to support and shape artificial nails | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Schedule client appointments and accept payments | 7% | 85% to 97% | |
| Assess the condition of clients' hands, remove dead skin, and massage hands | 7% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills manicurists and pedicurists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $41,640
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,400
- Dental Hygienists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,100
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Manicurists and Pedicurists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2038. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of manicurists and pedicurists?
Machines can do 13% of the tasks of manicurists and pedicurists today and 41% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 39-5092.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Manicurists and Pedicurists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/manicurists-and-pedicurists/