Neighborhood nail salon

Open a small storefront salon with several stations and walk-in and booked clients.

Client receiving a manicure from a nail technician in a salon.

Startup cost$15k to $75k

Monthly revenue$6k to $30k

Time needed35+ h/week

First incomeMonths

$15k-75k
Full-time
Own premises
Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

34,417 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year

NAICS 812113 “Nail salons”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A small leased salon with manicure and pedicure stations, offering manicures, pedicures, gel and enhancements, run by you and a few licensed technicians.

Your first three steps

Check your state cosmetology board for salon license and inspection requirements
Scout locations by foot traffic and competition, and get lease terms reviewed before signing
Price out build-out, equipment and insurance, then plan how you will recruit licensed technicians

Who pays

Local residents, workers nearby and groups celebrating events, plus regulars who book on a recurring basis.

How it makes money

Service fees across several stations, add-ons and retail polish; more technicians and stations mean more capacity.

Skills that help

Nail technique and team management
Budgeting, pricing and managing rent
Local marketing and customer service

Watch out for

State salon or establishment license and technician licenses for every worker
Health and sanitation inspections, ventilation and chemical handling rules
Workers' compensation insurance and employment rules once you hire, including whether staff are employees or booth renters
Lease commitments and build-out costs before you have steady clients

🔒 Full research report for US

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a nail salon?

Typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on the lease, the build-out and the equipment for your stations. Lease commitments and build-out costs come before you have steady clients, so plan for them.

How much revenue can a small nail salon make?

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many stations you run, your technicians and your client base. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week.

What licenses and rules should I check before opening a nail salon?

Check your state salon or establishment license and technician licenses for every worker. Also check health and sanitation inspections, ventilation and chemical handling rules, and workers' compensation and employment rules once you hire, including employees versus booth renters.