Nail Technicians Tips & Wages in South Carolina (2026)
Nail technicians and manicurists earn tips on nail services. Their cash wage and tip credit are governed by the state's standard tipped-employee schedule unless the state carves out a separate rate. In South Carolina, the tipped cash wage is $2.13/hr, with a tip credit of up to $5.12/hr, for a combined minimum of $7.25/hr.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Nail Technicians Tipped-Wage Law in South Carolina
Full State Min
$7.25/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$2.13/hr
Max Tip Credit
$5.12/hr
Tip Credit?
Yes
South Carolina has no state minimum-wage law; federal FLSA rates apply.
These figures are the state-wide tipped-employee rates from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026). South Carolina applies this uniform schedule to nail technicians — there is no separate occupation-specific cash wage.
Calculate a tip for nail technicians in South Carolina
Our calculator applies South Carolina's 7.5% combined sales tax automatically; your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
Tip Calculator for Nail Technicians in South Carolina
Enter your bill — South Carolina's 7.5% sales tax is applied automatically and your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tipped wage for nail technicians in South Carolina in 2026?
Nail Technicians in South Carolina are covered by the state's uniform tipped-employee wage: a cash wage of $2.13/hr with a tip credit of up to $5.12/hr, for a combined cash-plus-tip minimum of $7.25/hour. South Carolina applies this uniform schedule to nail technicians with no separate occupation-specific rate. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.)
How much should I tip nail technicians in South Carolina?
The customary gratuity for nail technicians in South Carolina is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill. Tips are calculated on the subtotal, not on South Carolina's 7.5% combined sales tax.
Does South Carolina let employers take a tip credit for nail technicians?
Yes. South Carolina allows a tip credit of up to $5.12/hr, so an employer can count that much of the worker's tips toward the $7.25/hr minimum and pay a cash wage of $2.13/hr. If tips don't reach the minimum, the employer makes up the difference.
Other Nail Technicians guides by state
Tipped minimum-wage figures are from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026), retrieved 2026-08-09. Minimum wages change; verify with your state labor department before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice.