Nail Salon Monthly Expenses: What It Really Costs to Stay in Business
Running a nail salon can be wildly rewarding, but keeping it open means staying on top of monthly expenses. How much those cost depends a lot on your hours, number of clients, location, and how “nice” you want everything to be. Below, we break down the typical nail salon monthly expense items, with example cost ranges, and will run through a sample monthly budget.
What Affects Your Monthly Expenses?
Before diving into the numbers, here are the biggest variables:
- Business hours & days open: More hours = more utilities, more staff, more supplies.
- Number of clients / Services per day: If you’re busy, supply use, wear & tear, laundry, etc. all scale up.
- Location: Rent, insurance, licensing, utility rates vary a lot by city and neighborhood.
- Quality of equipment and product lines: If you go high end, expect higher costs for products and inventory.
What Are Key Monthly Expense Categories?
Here are the main costs you’ll likely pay, with examples of what nail salons in the U.S. pay (or close to it), in 2025.
This depends on the volume your business puts out, as well as where it’s located. Consider this as your guide when reviewing costs:
- Low Volume: one nail tech, 5-6 clients/day in a small town with a modest space and basic supplies.
- Moderate Volume: 3 nail techs with a steady flow of clients in a mid-city salon offering art/acrylics.
- High Volume: 5-8 nail techs in a premium location with extensive services being provided at a high volume in a large space.
Rent / Lease for Studio Space
The physical location of your salon, whether it’s a storefront, booth space, or chair, can vary. Keep in mind that starting a lease typically requires a security deposit. Here’s a breakdown of what this expense can look like:
- Low: ~$1,500 - $3,500 (smaller town, modest space)
- Moderate: ~$4,000-$8,000 (mid-sized city, good location)
- High: ~$10,000+ (prime location, large space)
Utilities
Nail salon utilities include electricity, water, gas, etc. Your heating/cooling, internet, and phone bill also fall into this category.
- Low: ~$300 - $500
- Moderate: ~$500 - $1,200
- High: ~$1,500 in big spaces with high electricity and water use
Staff / Labor Costs
Labor costs vary depending on your staffing strategy. You can choose to rent chairs out to nail techs, pay them a commission, or have them on an hourly payroll. If you choose to hire a front desk receptionist or janitor, these will fall into this category.
- Low: small team, part-time, commissions – maybe $5,000-$10,000
- Moderate: fuller staffing, more hours - $10,000 - $25,000
- High: large or luxury salon - $25,000+ depending on number of staff and local wages.
Nail Supplies / Consumables
Your salon supplies and consumables are very common recurring expenses. Think polishes, gels, acrylics, disposable files, gloves, sanitation supplies, etc.
- Low: ~$500 - $1,000
- Moderate: ~$1,500 - $3,000
- High: ~$3,000 depending on how many clients / services / premium products are used.
Insurance, Licenses & Permits
Salon liability insurance, health & safety permits, a business license and fixed inspections should be expenses that are budgeted for.
- Low: ~$100 - $300
- Moderate: ~$300 - $800
- High: ~$800-$1,500 if you have a large staff or property
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the nail salon, laundry services, and waste disposal all fall within this category of expenses.
- Low: ~$200-$400
- Moderate: ~$500 - $1,200
- High: ~$1,200 if you have many seats and pedicure chairs that are frequently used.
Marketing / Advertising / Social Media
Your nail salon marketing expenses can vary based on local ads, social media content, promos, signage, and website upkeep.
- Low: ~$200-$500
- Moderate: ~$500 - $1,500
- High: ~$2,000 depending on scale and how much you invest in paid ads
Software, POS, and Booking Systems
POS fees, salon scheduling software (based on number of calendars) and payment processing expenses all depend on what systems you have in place. To lower this cost, look for an all-in-one tool like Vagaro.
- Low: ~$50-$200
- Moderate: ~$200 - $600
- High: ~$600 if you’re using multiple terminals and work with software that doesn’t grow with your business.
Miscellaneous / Overhead
Consider having a miscellaneous fund for expenses like small repairs, training, taxes, and supplies you forget until it’s needed in the salon.
- Low: ~$200-$500
- Moderate: ~$500 - $1,500
- High: ~$1,500+ depending on unexpected needs.
What Are the Most Overlooked Costs?
When nail salon owners think about monthly expenses, rent and payroll usually are at the top the list. But it’s often the smaller, less-visible costs that catch businesses off guard. Here are a few line items that sneak up on many salon owners:
Repairs & Replacements
Pedicure chairs and nail lamps look sturdy but wear out faster than you think under daily use. A broken chair or faulty lamp is lost until it’s fixed or replaced.
Laundry & Towels
Constant washing of salon towels, aprons, and linens uses up detergent, water, electricity, and machine maintenance. Outsourcing laundry adds a bill you might not anticipate at first.
Seasonal Swings
Summer weddings, holiday rushes, or back-to-school dips can shift your budget throughout the year. Higher supply orders and extra staff during peak months mean variable monthly costs you’ll want to plan for.
What Do Studies & Sources Say?
A majority of salons report that labor, rent, and supplies make the bulk of monthly costs. Utilities, insurance, and software add smaller but significant overhead.
Why Should Nail Salons Track Expenses?
Tracking expenses for your nail salon isn’t just about balancing a checkbook. It’s the difference between feeling busy and actually being profitable. When you know exactly what it costs to run your salon each month, you can set prices with confidence, avoid undercharging for services, and plan for the unexpected without chaos.
Tracking your expenses also helps you spot patterns. Seasonal swings and rising supply costs are hard to predict unless you track everything thoroughly. With tools like Vagaro’s built-in reporting, this clarity makes it easier to cut waste, reinvest wisely, and grow your salon without guesswork—keeping your business as polished as your clients’ nails.
Bottom Line, How Much Should I Budget?
We’ve uncovered a wide range of costs for nail salons expenses, each broken down into low, moderate, and high levels. But how much is the total average cost to running a nail salon?
- Low Volume: ~8,000 - $15,000 per month
- Moderate Volume: ~$25,000-$40,000 per month
- High Volume: $50,000-$70,000 or more per month, depending on location & staff
If you’re using Vagaro or similar software, having a clear picture of your monthly expenses will help you set service prices, plan for profit, and avoid surprises by hidden costs.
FAQ
What is the average monthly cost to run a nail salon?
The average monthly expenses can range from $8,000-$70,000 or more based on the size of your nail salon, number of staff, and location.
What are the biggest monthly expenses for a nail salon?
The biggest monthly expenses for a nail salon are your rent, labor, and supplies.
How can I reduce my monthly salon costs?
To reduce monthly salon costs, consider purchasing supplies in bulk and negotiate with suppliers for better deals.
Do nail salons pay for licenses and insurance monthly?
Your business license is paid for on an annual or bi-annual basis depending on your local requirements. Nail technician licenses must be renewed every two years and the expense varies by state. Insurance can be paid for on a monthly or annual basis.
How much should I budget for nail supplies each month?
Budget anywhere between ~$500 - $3,000 for nail supplies each month. This number varies drastically based on number of clients, hours of operation, and quality of products.
Is marketing a necessary monthly expense for nail salons?
If your goal is to grow your business for continued success, yes, marketing is a necessary monthly expense for your salon. Marketing is an essential expense to bring in new clients, retain existing ones, and guaranteed long-term success.
Resources:
- https://salonrenter.com/average-salon-suite-rental-costs-us-cities/
- https://elitebeautysociety.com/nail-tech-insurance/
- https://www.39celsius.com/google-ads-for-beauty-salons/