Do you and your feet need a break and some well-deserved pampering? Then it would help if you looked into getting yourself a pedicure. This desire, of course, begs the question, how much is a pedicure?
As someone with experience in both giving and receiving pedicures, I’ve decided to address this topic in today’s article because pedicures have a surprising amount of variance in their pricing and aren’t always as straightforward as they might think. I feel it is vital for salon goers to recognize when they are getting a bad deal to patronize a business with more affordable prices.
While a pedicure is not strictly a necessity, research has shown that treating yourself to frequent rest is good for your mental health and ability to avoid burning yourself out.
How much does a pedicure cost? The average cost of a standard pedicure in the United States is $35.46 as of 2019. On the other hand, a deluxe pedicure averages a bit higher at $48.54.
While this might seem like a cut-and-dry answer to the day’s question, many more factors are involved when finding the price you might pay for a pedicure.
As someone who frequents the salon and has done a lot of research on the benefits of self-care, I can confidently tell you that a trip to the salon for a pedicure will do you some good.
While salons are great for a day out and relaxing, they are not always good for your wallet. Today we will be discussing the factors that can affect the malleable price of a pedicure so that you can recognize if you are getting a good deal or not.
How much is a pedicure?
The average cost of a standard pedicure in the United States is $35.46 as of 2019, with a trend of small but steady growth upwards each year. This statistic is deceptive because it fails to address the variance in the cost of pedicures.
Pedicure procedures at a salon can vary wildly in price depending on the state you get your pedicure in, the type of salon you go to, what is included in that type of pedicure, and what kind of pedicure you are getting.
These questions are essential when determining the price you will pay to get your nails done. So let’s break it down.
Pedicure cost by city
The average cost of pedicures varies widely depending on what city you’re in. As you can see in my chart, on average the most expensive pedicure are in Boston at approximately $27.96 for a pedicure, and that’s not including a tip.
The most affordable U.S. city to get a pedicure is weirdly Los Angeles, California with an average pedicure cost of $16.21! I would never have guessed L.A. to be home to the cheapest manicure.
Regardless of what city you’re in, please tip your pedicurist well.
Pedicure cost by state
The average cost of pedicures also varies depending on the state you’re in.
Below I’ve created a chart so you can compare pedicure costs by state. You can see which states offer the highest and lowest price ranges on average at their salons.
Maryland is home to the most expensive pedicures, averaging out to approximately $50.
Pedicure cost by type
The average cost of pedicures varies depending on what type of pedicure you receive. Below we have listed the average price of the most common types of pedicures in the United States.
Plus we made a pie chart so you can the price comparison of each of the different types of pedicures.
- Standard pedicure: $35
- Gel Pedicure: $45
- French Tip Pedicure: $45
- Hot Stone Pedicure: $65
- Fish Pedicure: $70
- Paraffin Pedicure: $50
- Deluxe Spa Pedicure: $55
- Jelly Pedicure: $58
How long does a pedicure take?
Like the cost of a pedicure, the length of time and the pedicure varies.
A basic pedicure usually only takes about thirty-five minutes, while a deluxe pedicure can be as long as an hour and a half. Many patrons also get manicures with their pedicures, which take anywhere from an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour depending on the manicure.
How often should you get a pedicure?
Experts recommend getting a pedicure every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the best look for your feet.
While 4 to 6 weeks remains a good baseline for pedicures, there isn’t a maximum amount you should avoid. If you have the free time and disposable income to afford pedicures more frequently, it will not harm you to go more than once a month.
It should be noted that if money is of concern, it is cheaper to give yourself a pedicure at home. Reusable pedicure kits are an easy way to maintain beautiful toes more frequently and affordably.
What are the different types of pedicures?
Pedicures come in several forms to add maintenance beyond just the basic package.
A gel pedicure treats a toe nail by applying a gel layer over top of it. For a list of my favorite gel polishes check out my article on the “Best Gel Nail Polish.”
A French pedicure is similar to a gel pedicure, except that the nails are done in a French-specific style.
A fish pedicure is popular because it uses small fish in a little water tank to exfoliate flaky skin from your feet.
A jelly pedicure provides a footbath of jelly material rather than water to remove dead skin.
A pedicure dips feet into special paraffin wax to coat and adheres to your foot skin.
A hot stone pedicure uses warm rocks under your feet to relax them and make them easier to work with.
Lastly, a premium spa pedicure includes a high-end essential oil soak and some foot massage.
What is included in a full pedicure?
A full pedicure, also known as a deluxe pedicure, is a pedicure that includes extra maintenance that takes up a bit more time. A deluxe pedicure typically takes an additional 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the speed of the service at the salon you are patronizing.
While the exact details of a full pedicure may vary by shop, these procedures typically include some if not all of the following:
- An extended foot and leg massage
- Full exfoliate salt/sugar scrub
- A foot mask
- Chip resistant polish for the nails
- A soak in aromatic oils
The best way to find out what is included in your full pedicure is to call ahead and ask a worker at the salon you are going to.
How much do you tip for a $25 pedicure?
Generally speaking, you want to tip service workers between 15% and 20% of the service cost. Paying 15% of a $25 pedicure would be $3.75, while 20% comes even $5.
It is ok to go above 20% if you feel you had extraordinary service and would like to give the employee extra money for a good job.
Undertipping is not advised. Many salon employees’ wages come from tips, so they rely on an average of 15% tips when calculating their pay.
Is $5 a good tip for a pedicure?
$5 can be a good tip for a pedicure, depending on how much your pedicure costs. Depending on what falls between that rate, you generally want to tip between 15% and 20% of their initial cost.
$5 is an excellent tip for pedicures that cost $25 or less, but you should tip more than $5 on a pedicure that costs more than $33.
How much do you tip for a $50 pedicure?
As stated above, you generally want to tip service workers between 15% and 20% of the service cost. Paying 15% of a $50 pedicure would be $7.50, while 20% comes even $10.
It is ok to go above 20% and pay more than $10 if you feel you had extraordinary service and would like to give the employee extra money for their time.
Again, undertipping is generally not advised. Workers and fellow customers generally frown upon tipping under the standard rate.
How much does a pedicure cost for a man?
This question implies that men and women pay different prices for nail tech treatment.
Fortunately, men and women are almost always charged the same amount for pedicure procedures, so there is no need to worry about being upcharged.
There are rare cases where men may be charged slightly more than women for their pedicures, but these salons will have their prices listed and can be seen before the work begins.
How should I prepare for a pedicure?
While there’s no extensive pre-pedicure ritual, there are a few things you want to take care of before heading to the salon.
Removing the old polish and cleaning your feet before heading in is typically polite. Similar to brushing your teeth before going to the dentist, it is polite to ensure your parts are clean and well-scented before asking a nail tech to work on them.
Don’t worry about trimming your nails before heading into the salon; toenail trimmings are included in all pedicure procedures.
How much does it cost to keep a pedicure for a year?
Suppose you were to try and maintain a single pedicure for an entire year. Not sure how you would do that as your nails would grow out completely in that time. But technically, it would technically only cost you the price of that one pedicure.
However, if you want to maintain your feet and toes throughout the year, it’s recommended you get your nails redone every 4 to 6 weeks. So we can assume that you will be paying for 8 to 15 different pedicures throughout the year.
The cost of 8 different pedicures would come to an average of $280. A total of 15 pedicures would cost you $525 on average. These costs will rise if you opt for more frequent pedicures or go for more deluxe treatment.
Can I use my phone at a nail salon?
There are no rules or regulations about using your phone inside a nail salon. That said, it can be impolite to use your phone in a nail salon, depending on the situation.
A good rule of thumb for knowing if you should use your phone is to see what the nail tech wants.
If the nail technician attempts to make conversation and chat with you, it is polite to indulge them and talk with them while you are there. However, if a nail technician is quiet and wants to work, it is perfectly ok to scroll on your phone.
Is a pedicure worth the money?
A pedicure can undoubtedly be worth the amount you pay for it. Pedicures feel great on your feet, and self-care, in general, is a great way to relieve stress and maintain a confident self-image.
I remember once when I had not received a pedicure in almost six months; I went to get one and felt loads better about myself immediately afterward.
Suppose you go to a nail salon and regularly receive a pedicure. In that case, you will undoubtedly notice a difference in your self-esteem over time.
Everyone is on a different budget, but if you can afford to get pedicures regularly, they can certainly be worth the cost.
Why are pedicures more expensive than manicures?
Pedicures are typically more expensive than their fingertip counterparts.
While both procedures require the same set of tools and workload, pedicures are more expensive than manicures because they generally take longer.
While pedicures can be pricier than manicures, you can save money by buying both in bulk. Many salons will offer a discount if both procedures are done simultaneously.
Pedicure price at Walmart
If you didn’t already know, some Walmarts have a nail salon inside called Regal Nails. Regal Nails is a terrific place to get a pedicure if you want to save money.
Walmart starts its introductory pedicure pricing at $20 flat across the nation. That price only goes up as you add extras to your pedicure. Things such as nail trimming, cuticle care, exfoliation, polish, and massaging will increase the price of your pedicure.
What pedicure should I order for the first time?
As a beginner, it is recommended that you seek out only a basic pedicure.
Starting with a basic pedicure will provide a baseline for your understanding of the nail process. Having a basic understanding is good because when you later decide to get a more complex pedicure, you will see what has been added to the procedure for the increased price.
This baseline is good because it will help you judge what you think is worth the price at a nail salon.
How to book a pedicure
To schedule yourself a pedicure, you can either call ahead at the nail salon of your choice, or you can typically check their website to schedule.
It is also important to note that you do not have to book a nail salon appointment beforehand.
Most nail salons will accept walk-in appointments; know that you will be at a lower priority than those who have scheduled ahead, and it may take longer for you to get started.
It’s important to keep etiquette in mind and act appropriately while at the shop.
Things to remember when booking a pedicure
Remember that no matter how much you want to keep your legs shaved, you should not shave within a day before getting your pedicure. Bacteria can enter the body through newly shaven legs, and you are more at risk of this happening when someone is working to clean your feet.
Another thing to know when booking a pedicure is that you can bring your tools if you would prefer. Nail salons are supposed to clean out their tools between visits with heat, but sometimes things get busy for workers. It can save you and the workers time if you bring your tools for them to work with, though not all salons allow this.
There are safety standards your salon and nail technicians need to follow. If you feel rules are being broken, it’s alright to ask for clarification or cancel your appointment.
What is a reasonable cost for a pedicure?
As stated at the beginning of this article, the average cost of a pedicure in the United States is just over $35. Going off of this baseline, an excellent basic pedicure should not cost you more than $45 at the absolute most.
You are probably getting ripped off if a salon tries to charge you more than $45 for just a basic pedicure. You should check other local salons for comparison.
It should be noted that salon prices do vary by region. If all salons charge upwards of $45 for a basic pedicure, you may live in a state with a higher-than-average price point.
Is a pedicure necessary?
While a pedicure is not technically a medical procedure everyone needs to function, it can be a great way to prevent future foot procedures at the podiatrist.
Typical maintenance on your feet, such as treating crack soles, calluses, or ingrown nails, can be treated by a pedicure. If these various symptoms are left untreated, they can worsen over time and lead to a more severe condition.
So while pedicures are not necessary, they can often save you a long-term trip to the podiatrist.
Key takeaways on how much pedicures cost
In the end, pedicures are a terrific means of keeping up on your self-care and maintaining good health in your feet.
So, how much is a pedicure? These leisurely procedures take under an hour and cost about $35 per visit. You can schedule your pedicure through a simple phone call to your local salon or by visiting their website.
Laura is a beauty expert with 5 years prior experience working in cosmetics and lash salons. When not writing you can find her experimenting with the trending makeup looks, or reading a good book snuggled up with her French Bulldog Max. Laura is currently a contributing writer and Beauty Editor at BeatyStack.