Nail tech schools in California
Looking for nail technician schools in California? There are 54, including 54 private career schools. Nail technicians in California earn a median $36,630 a year, according to the BLS.
- Schools
- 54
- Public colleges
- 0
- Median pay in CA
- $36,630
- Cities with schools
- 37
Nail tech schools by city
- Los Angeles (10 within 30 mi)
- San Diego (3 within 30 mi)
- Fresno (4 within 30 mi)
- Sacramento (4 within 30 mi)
- Long Beach (13 within 30 mi)
- Anaheim (14 within 30 mi)
- Stockton (4 within 30 mi)
- Riverside (8 within 30 mi)
- Santa Clarita (4 within 30 mi)
- San Bernardino (7 within 30 mi)
- Modesto (4 within 30 mi)
- Elk Grove (4 within 30 mi)
- Rancho Cucamonga (10 within 30 mi)
- Roseville (3 within 30 mi)
- Visalia (5 within 30 mi)
- Pasadena (13 within 30 mi)
- Simi Valley (4 within 30 mi)
- Thousand Oaks (3 within 30 mi)
- Vallejo (3 within 30 mi)
- Antioch (3 within 30 mi)
- Menifee (5 within 30 mi)
- Costa Mesa (11 within 30 mi)
- West Covina (15 within 30 mi)
- Hesperia (5 within 30 mi)
- Tracy (4 within 30 mi)
- Indio (3 within 30 mi)
- Mission Viejo (6 within 30 mi)
- Turlock (5 within 30 mi)
- Lodi (3 within 30 mi)
- Woodland (4 within 30 mi)
- Hanford (5 within 30 mi)
- Beaumont (4 within 30 mi)
- Palm Springs (4 within 30 mi)
- Atwater (3 within 30 mi)
- Santa Paula (3 within 30 mi)
- Reedley (7 within 30 mi)
- West Hills (4 within 30 mi)
What nail technicians earn in California
Median pay means half earn more and half earn less. Pay grows with experience, certifications and overtime.
Nail technician salary in CaliforniaHow to become a nail technician
- Median pay
- $36,630
- $17.61 an hour
- Typical range
- $34,840–$47,260
- 10th to 90th percentile
- Jobs in CA
- 39,210
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +9.2%
- 21,900 openings a year (U.S.)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, and Employment Projections.
Hear from the best fits near California
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Frequently asked questions
How many nail technician schools are in California?
We list 54 schools in California with nail technician programs: 54 private career schools. Campuses are in Modesto, Los Angeles, West Covina, Visalia, and Palm Desert.
How much does nail technician school cost in California?
Among the 49 schools here that report it to the U.S. Department of Education, the average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) ranges from $7,812 to $36,880. That figure covers the whole school, not just this program, so ask each school for the program's total cost.
How much do nail technicians make in California?
The median pay for nail technicians in California is $36,630 a year, and most earn between $34,840 and $47,260, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do I choose a nail technician school in California?
Ask each school about accreditation, total cost after financial aid, hands-on lab hours, certification exam prep, class sizes and job placement. Request info from two or three schools so you can compare their answers side by side.
Other programs in California
- Medical assistant schools (152)
- Cosmetology schools (119)
- Criminal justice programs (109)
- Auto mechanic schools (83)
- Dental assistant schools (83)
- LPN programs (83)
- IT schools (83)
- Esthetician schools (76)
- HVAC schools (71)
- Welding schools (69)
- Barber schools (68)
- Pharmacy technician schools (66)
- Medical billing and coding schools (63)
- Industrial maintenance schools (60)
- Electrician schools (58)
- Fire science programs (57)