A basic manicure costs $20 to $35 and a basic pedicure runs $30 to $50 at most US nail salons, according to booking-platform rate data. A combined mani-pedi package typically runs $40 to $90 for standard services and $90 to $140 for spa-level treatments. Service tier, geographic market, add-ons, and whether you choose regular polish or gel all push the final number up or down.
What Is Included in a Basic Manicure?
A basic manicure covers the fundamentals of nail care: soaking the hands to soften the skin, trimming and filing the nails to your chosen length, pushing back or gently removing excess cuticle tissue, a light massage of the hands and forearms, and two coats of regular air-dry polish plus a top coat. Most salons include the consultation on shape and color in the service itself.
What is typically not included at the base price: gel polish (costs more because of the lamp and product), nail art of any kind, paraffin wax treatment, and extended massage beyond the brief relaxation step built into the service.
The baseline manicure at chain nail salons in suburban and mid-market areas runs $20 to $35, per booking-platform rate data. Mid-range independent salons typically price the same service at $30 to $50. Boutique nail studios in major urban markets frequently start at $50 or above for a basic manicure, reflecting higher rent and senior technician rates.
How Much Does a Pedicure Cost?
A basic pedicure involves a foot soak, nail trim and shaping, cuticle care, callus removal (typically with a pumice stone or foot file), a lower-leg and foot massage, and polish application. The appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes for a standard service.
Typical price ranges at US nail salons, per booking-platform rate data:
- Basic pedicure: $30 to $50 at chain and mid-range salons; $50 to $70 at boutique studios
- Deluxe or gel pedicure: $45 to $70, adding gel polish or upgraded scrub
- Spa pedicure: $60 to $90, adding paraffin wax, extended massage, and mask
- Luxury or premium pedicure: $90 to $140 or more, with hot stone massage, callus peel treatment, and premium products
The callus removal step is why pedicures cost more than comparable manicures -- it requires more time and skill, and the foot soak adds appointment length. Some salons charge separately for gel polish on a pedicure ($10 to $20 extra), while others bundle it into their gel pedicure price.
Combined Mani-Pedi Packages: What to Expect
Most US nail salons offer a combined mani-pedi booking, which saves time by scheduling both services consecutively and may come with a modest package discount. The bundled price depends on the tier of service you choose:
| Package | Typical Price Range | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic mani + basic pedi | $40 to $70 | Regular polish on hands and feet |
| Gel mani + basic pedi | $60 to $90 | Gel on hands, regular on feet |
| Gel mani + gel pedi | $75 to $110 | Gel polish on both |
| Spa mani + spa pedi | $90 to $140 | Extended massage, scrub, mask |
| Luxury full combo | $120 to $200+ | Premium products, hot stone, paraffin |
Source: booking-platform rate data and salon industry pricing surveys. Ranges reflect variation across US markets.
If you are looking at a nail salon's menu and the mani-pedi combo is not separately listed, ask. Most salons will apply an informal package price, especially on slower days or during off-peak hours.
Gel Manicure vs. Basic Polish: Price Difference
Gel polish costs $10 to $25 more than regular air-dry polish on a standard manicure, and $10 to $20 more on a pedicure. The price gap reflects the additional product cost and the time required to cure each coat under a UV or LED lamp. For clients who want their polish to last two to three weeks without chipping, the premium is generally worthwhile.
A plain gel polish manicure (gel applied to natural nails, no extensions) typically runs $35 to $65 depending on salon tier and market. For a complete breakdown of what drives gel pricing and how fills work, see the gel manicure cost guide.
Which Polish Option Is Worth the Upgrade?
Regular polish is the right choice when you change nail colors frequently or have a short-term event. Gel is worth the premium if you want two to three weeks of chip-free wear. Gel on toes is particularly popular because it lasts through most of a full pedicure cycle without visible wear.
What Factors Push the Manicure and Pedicure Price Up?
Nail Length and Shape
Most salon menus price manicures based on a standard short to medium nail length. Nails extending more than a centimetre beyond the fingertip typically attract a length surcharge of $5 to $15. Complex shapes -- stiletto, coffin, severe almond -- involve additional shaping time and may add $5 to $10 beyond the length charge.
Nail Art
Any design element added to a plain polish service -- foil, stamping, freehand art, rhinestones -- adds to the base price. Simple nail art (one accent nail, basic geometric design) typically adds $5 to $15 to the manicure total. Complex art across all ten nails with multiple techniques can add $30 to $50 or more, depending on the technician's skill level and market.
Technician Level
Salons that grade technicians by seniority charge more for their experienced staff. The same gel manicure can run $10 to $25 more with a senior tech or nail artist than with a junior technician doing standard work. If your service is a plain color without design work, a junior technician typically produces the same result.
Callus Removal Tier
At the pedicure level, the extent of callus treatment significantly affects both appointment time and price. A standard pumice session is included in the base pedicure price. A chemical callus peel -- a more intensive treatment that dissolves thickened skin -- adds $10 to $20 and is more effective for heavily callused feet. Some luxury spas include blade callus removal, which requires training and is priced accordingly.
Geographic Market
Nail technician wages vary substantially by region, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data, and salon pricing reflects those differences. A basic manicure in a high-wage metro market (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) can cost $50 to $70 where the same service runs $25 to $35 in a mid-market area. Geographic variation is one of the largest single drivers of the wide price ranges you will see reported across sources.
How Often Should You Get a Manicure or Pedicure?
Nail industry guidance and cosmetology training bodies generally suggest booking a manicure every two to three weeks if you wear regular polish (polish chips by then regardless), and every three to four weeks if you wear gel (gel lasts longer and your natural nail grows out at that pace). If you wear no polish and are booking for nail care and maintenance alone, every four to six weeks keeps nails in good shape for most people.
For pedicures, the four-to-six-week interval is standard, with clients who are more active or walk long distances on hard surfaces sometimes preferring every three to four weeks. Callus builds more slowly than nail growth, so the pedicure interval is less about polish and more about foot health.
Building a rough annual cost estimate:
- Gel mani every three weeks at $50 = approximately $867 per year, before tips
- Basic pedi every five weeks at $40 = approximately $416 per year, before tips
- Combined: roughly $1,280 per year for gel hands and basic feet on a moderate schedule
The annual salon budget calculator lets you plug in your actual service choices and frequency to see a personalized estimate.
How Much to Tip at a Nail Salon
The standard tipping range at US nail salons is 15 to 20 percent of the service total. On a $50 mani-pedi, that is $7.50 to $10. For exceptional work, complex nail art, or a service that ran significantly over the scheduled time, tipping toward 20 to 25 percent is appreciated. For a detailed look at tipping etiquette across different nail services and how to handle specific situations, see how much to tip a nail tech.
Cash tips are generally preferred by nail technicians. Card tips are accepted at most salons but may be subject to processing delays before the technician receives them.
Sanitation Standards to Check Before You Book
The nail salon you visit should use new or autoclaved metal implements per client and fresh one-use files and buffers. If you see implements being reused without visible sanitation between clients -- which can transmit nail fungus and other infections -- that is a clear signal to look elsewhere. State cosmetology boards maintain online lookup tools to verify a technician's licence.
A Complete Service Tier Comparison Table
| Service | Duration | Typical Price | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic manicure | 30--45 min | $20--$35 | File, cuticle, short massage, regular polish |
| Gel manicure | 45--60 min | $35--$65 | As above with lamp-cured gel polish |
| Deluxe manicure | 45--60 min | $40--$60 | Basic + extended scrub or mask |
| Basic pedicure | 45--60 min | $30--$50 | Soak, file, cuticle, callus, massage, polish |
| Gel pedicure | 50--70 min | $45--$70 | Pedi + gel polish |
| Spa pedicure | 60--80 min | $60--$90 | Pedi + exfoliating scrub + mask |
| Paraffin add-on | +15 min | $10--$20 | Wax dip for hands or feet |
| Basic mani-pedi combo | 75--100 min | $40--$70 | Both basic services |
| Spa mani-pedi combo | 100--130 min | $90--$140 | Upgraded both |
Source: booking-platform rate data and salon industry pricing surveys. Ranges reflect variation across US markets.
For clients ready to move beyond a standard manicure into extended-wear services like acrylics, dip powder, or gel extensions, the acrylic nails cost guide and the dip powder nails cost guide cover full pricing, fill schedules, and long-term cost comparisons. The nail service quiz is a useful starting point if you are not sure which service is the right fit for your lifestyle and nail goals.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to get a manicure and pedicure together?
Most US nail salons offer a combo mani-pedi package priced $5 to $20 below the sum of each service booked separately, according to booking-platform rate data. At salons without a bundled price, ask the front desk -- a small discount for booking both on the same visit is common practice and rarely advertised. Packages typically run $40 to $90 depending on the tier.
What is the difference between a regular and spa pedicure?
A regular pedicure includes soaking, cuticle work, nail trimming and shaping, and polish. A spa pedicure adds extended massage, exfoliating scrub, a mask or paraffin treatment, and sometimes heated booties. The extra steps typically add 20 to 30 minutes and $15 to $30 to the base price, according to salon industry pricing data.
How long does a basic manicure take at a salon?
A standard manicure with regular polish takes 30 to 45 minutes at most nail salons, according to booking-platform duration data. Adding gel polish extends the appointment by 10 to 20 minutes for lamp curing. Elaborate nail art on all ten nails can push a manicure to 90 minutes or more depending on design complexity.
How often should you get a pedicure?
Nail industry guidance recommends a professional pedicure every four to six weeks for most clients. This interval allows callus build-up to be addressed before it becomes uncomfortable, keeps cuticles and the nail edge healthy, and maintains polish through one growth cycle. Clients who walk frequently or wear closed shoes may prefer every three to four weeks.
What is included in a French manicure?
A French manicure applies a sheer or pale pink base coat to the nail plate and a white or off-white tip at the nail's free edge, creating the classic two-tone look. Most US salons include it in the standard manicure price or add $5 to $10 for the additional step. Gel French manicure typically costs $5 to $15 more than a regular gel service.
How much is a manicure at a nail salon vs. a hair salon?
Dedicated nail salons typically price basic manicures at $20 to $35, per booking-platform rate data. Full-service hair salons that offer nail services as an add-on tend to charge $30 to $50 for the same basic service, reflecting higher overhead costs. Boutique nail studios in major metro markets frequently start above $40 for even a basic manicure.