Manicurists and Pedicurists Salary
The median pay for a manicurists and pedicurists in Missouri is $39,100/year ($18.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $43,947 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,097/month, about 41.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $39K get you in Missouri?
About manicurists and pedicurists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Missouri
Manicurists and pedicurists pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $39K locally vs. $36K nationwide, a 9% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,097/month, which is 40.6% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level manicurists and pedicurists (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $55K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Manicurists and Pedicurists salary by metro in Missouri
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $41K | +4% | 580 |
| Springfield | $38K | -3% | 140 |
| Joplin | $37K | -6% | 30 |
| Kansas City | $36K | -7% | 1,570 |
Compare to other states
Track manicurists and pedicurists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
Can a manicurists and pedicurist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $39K, rent takes 40.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for manicurists and pedicurists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new manicurists and pedicurists typically earn — is $29K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,716/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 64% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is manicurists and pedicurist a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $39K locally vs. $36K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for manicurists and pedicurists?
Missouri pays $39K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $44K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do manicurists and pedicurists make in Missouri?
The median is $39,100 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,600, and experienced manicurists and pedicurists can clear $55,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,699/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 40.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a manicurists and pedicurists salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median manicurists and pedicurists salary is worth about $43,947 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do manicurists and pedicurists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.