Best States for Manicurists to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for manicurists.
0 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | Yes | $115 | $18.53/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 2 | Kentucky | Yes | $125 | $29.30/hr | $40 | 83 |
| 3 | Colorado | Yes | $169 | $18.17/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 4 | Missouri | Yes | $168 | $18.72/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 5 | New Mexico | Yes | $225 | $20.60/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 6 | Maine | Yes | $131 | $23.77/hr | $175 | 75 |
| 7 | South Dakota | Yes | $100 | $19.33/hr | $150 | 75 |
| 8 | Utah | Yes | $232 | $18.46/hr | $54 | 74 |
| 9 | Mississippi | Yes | $335 | $20.37/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 10 | California | Yes | $110 | $16.83/hr | $70 | 72 |
| 11 | Indiana | Yes | $80 | $15.91/hr | $100 | 72 |
| 12 | Maryland | Yes | $104 | $17.49/hr | $100 | 72 |
| 13 | Oregon | Yes | $90 | $17.29/hr | $100 | 72 |
| 14 | Arizona | Yes | $247 | $16.74/hr | $50 | 71 |
| 15 | Michigan | Yes | $230 | $16.79/hr | $50 | 71 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | Yes | $230 | $22.65/hr | $99 | 69 |
| 17 | Florida | Yes | $75 | $15.56/hr | $125 | 68 |
| 18 | Nebraska | Yes | $83 | $17.58/hr | $110 | 68 |
| 19 | New York | Yes | $70 | $16.06/hr | $200 | 68 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | Yes | $100 | $17.39/hr | $150 | 68 |
| 21 | Idaho | Yes | $214 | $15.99/hr | $100 | 67 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | Yes | $218 | $15.25/hr | $100 | 67 |
| 23 | Ohio | Yes | $205 | $17.26/hr | $99 | 67 |
| 24 | Virginia | Yes | $192 | $17.77/hr | $100 | 67 |
| 25 | West Virginia | Yes | $221 | $17.32/hr | $100 | 67 |
| 26 | Alaska | Yes | $390 | $22.13/hr | $250 | 65 |
| 27 | Georgia | Yes | $139 | $12.74/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 28 | Louisiana | Yes | $75 | $13.99/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | Yes | $60 | $14.21/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 30 | Connecticut | Yes | $100 | $15.69/hr | $120 | 63 |
| 31 | Illinois | Yes | $215 | $16.60/hr | $150 | 63 |
| 32 | Minnesota | Yes | $280 | $17.37/hr | $155 | 63 |
| 33 | Montana | Yes | $284 | — | $35 | 63 |
| 34 | New Jersey | Yes | $140 | $15.13/hr | $125 | 63 |
| 35 | North Carolina | Yes | $193 | $16.74/hr | $125 | 63 |
| 36 | Vermont | Yes | $245 | $16.12/hr | $125 | 63 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | Yes | $121 | $13.21/hr | $125 | 60 |
| 38 | Washington | Yes | $319 | $23.00/hr | $200 | 60 |
| 39 | Wyoming | Yes | $148 | — | $102 | 60 |
| 40 | Hawaii | Yes | $182 | $14.00/hr | $51 | 59 |
| 41 | Arkansas | Yes | $175 | $13.36/hr | $50 | 58 |
| 42 | Massachusetts | Yes | $286 | $16.43/hr | $500 | 58 |
| 43 | Nevada | Yes | $195 | $16.99/hr | $425 | 58 |
| 44 | Texas | Yes | $172 | $17.74/hr | $300 | 58 |
| 45 | Wisconsin | Yes | $342 | $16.43/hr | $130 | 58 |
| 46 | Alabama | Yes | $255 | $13.45/hr | $200 | 55 |
| 47 | Kansas | Yes | $270 | $14.74/hr | $165 | 55 |
| 48 | North Dakota | Yes | $205 | $14.87/hr | $135 | 55 |
| 49 | Delaware | Yes | $313 | $13.69/hr | $110 | 50 |
| 50 | South Carolina | Yes | $335 | $12.49/hr | $110 | 50 |
| 51 | Tennessee | Yes | $200 | $14.44/hr | $300 | 50 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
Tennessee
Fee: $200$14.44/hr50
South Carolina
Fee: $335$12.49/hr50
Delaware
Fee: $313$13.69/hr50
North Dakota
Fee: $205$14.87/hr55
Kansas
Fee: $270$14.74/hr55
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
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