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The nail industry

The nail trade is how hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people in the US make a living. This page gathers the rights that come with the work, the jobs open now, and the people looking for work in the trade.

Rights that come with the work

Four guides built on federal rules, each citing .gov sources. Anything that could not be verified is marked as something to check for your own state.

Worker rights

Nail workers - employee or independent contractor

Getting a 1099 does not make you an independent contractor. The three groups of questions the IRS uses, and the two forms you can file if you were classified wrongly.

About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026

Worker rights

Pay, overtime and tips in a nail salon

The federal minimum wage, the time-and-a-half rule after 40 hours in a week, and the federal rule that owners, managers and supervisors may never keep a worker's tips.

About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026

Worker rights

Nail salon chemicals and how to protect yourself

The chemicals OSHA names, why a surgical mask does not protect you, how much ventilation matters, and the safety data sheet your employer must let you see.

About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026

Worker rights

Getting hurt at work, and what to do first

Workers' compensation is a state system, not a federal one. Six things to do in the first week, and why being misclassified as a contractor can cost you the cover entirely.

About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026

Not licensed yet?

Every state requires a licence to do nails, and the hours, fees and exam languages differ in each one. California, Texas, New York and Oregon give the exam in Vietnamese.

See the nail licence, state by state

OSHA's guide, in Vietnamese

OSHA, the federal workplace safety agency, publishes its nail salon worker safety guide in Vietnamese as OSHA 3558. It is official, free and downloadable.

Open OSHA 3558 (PDF, Vietnamese)

Nail jobs open now

See all jobs

No nail listings yet. If you own a salon, posting is free.

Post a job

Nail technicians looking for work

See everyone looking for work

No profiles in this trade yet. If you are looking for work, posting is free.

Post your profile