How Much Can You Earn As A Hairstylist?

The big question when considering any career option is, ‘how much can I earn?’. Hairdressing can be a lucrative business, especially if you progress to owning your own salon.

But when you are just starting out, it’s a case of getting stuck in with the day-to-day of running the salon as you build your experience. For example, answering the phone, making cups of tea and shampooing. Therefore, such jobs do not pay as well as what senior stylists are likely to earn, especially those who specialise in advanced cutting and colouring techniques. Though things will improve as you climb the ranks.

Here is what you can expect to earn as a hairstylist in the UK, based on the national average as well as your location.

Average Hairdresser Wage UK 2021

According to the latest figures by the Office for National Statistics, hairdressers earn a median wage of £296.50 per week which equals £15,418 per year.

The figures included those who work full time include apprentices right through to salon directors. The wage for apprentices is £4.15 as of April 2020, and £3.90 when the study was conducted. For salon directors, they can expect to earn £12-£15 on average according to Indeed, which would earn them between £24,960 and £31,200 a year.

So, there’s certainly a huge wage gap between where you start in the industry and where you can end up if you persist.

Hairdresser Wage According To Location

When it comes to how much you can expect to earn as a hairstylist in the UK per region, the ONS study found that London reigns supreme, with a £387.50 average weekly rate of pay, which would equal £20,150 a year before deductions.

The North West reported the lowest wages at £253.70 a week, or £13,192.40 a year.

This means those in the North West are paid £6,957.60 a year less than their London counterparts. However, the increase in wage for London also accounts for higher living and transport costs in the capital, which also pushes up the prices of services in the salon.

How Much Do Senior Hairstylists Earn?

The ONS study found that hairdressing salon managers earned a median gross wage of £383.30 a week, which equals £19,931.60 a year. In London, this figure stands at £443.10 a week, totalling £23,041.20 a year.

These figures are in line with what Indeed reported, based on jobs posted from across the country. They found that the average salon manager earns £24,916 per year. However surprisingly, the highest paying location for a salon manager is Woking, with a £34,623 yearly average. This is according to those who have reported their salaries or posted a job on the website.

Beyond this, owning your own salon and running a successful business model is the way to supercharge your earnings as a hairdresser. Our research suggests this figure can be as much as £100,000 a year, especially for high-end salons where the average price for services is far greater.

Conclusion

When you are just starting out either as an apprentice or assistant hairstylist, the wages will be lower. It takes years to build up the right experience to command a higher rate, which is achievable but only if you dedicate yourself to your craft. It also pays to develop a head for business, especially if you plan to become a self-employed hairstylist rather than work in a salon, as you'll need to learn about business insurance, hiring and more.

The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities to develop your skills in the field, given how in demand hairdressing is across the board.