How much can I earn as a hairdresser?

If you love styling hair, and like to help people look fashionable and proud of their appearance, then hairdressing might well be the career opportunity for you. It gives you a chance to be creative, to work with like-minded people in a vibrant setting, and to put a smile on the faces of the people you treat.

It’s entirely possible to make a successful long-term career out of hairdressing, and to make enough money out of it to support your family and your lifestyle. However, earnings can vary substantially for a variety of different reasons, and it’s important to take these into account before you fully commit to the industry.

In this blog, we’ll answer the question of how much do hairdressers make in the UK. We’ll look at ballpark figures for full-time and freelance stylists alike, and explore some of the influencing factors that can improve or hold back your potential earning power.

 

How much do hairdressers make in general?

To provide a relevant guide on a hairdresser salary it’s necessary to breakdown the different type of hairdresser you might be, as this will have a significant impact. Clearly as junior, with no experience you will need training but once you are at a high level and specialising your rates will be significantly higher. Here are the most common categories:

Apprentice or trainee hairstylist

From £6.40 per hour

As an apprentice you will likely get started on minimum wage, which currently stands at £6.40 per hour for an apprentice. However, you can expect your employer to pay you minimum wage over the age of 19: 19-20yrs – £8.60 per hour or 21+ – £11.44 per hour.

Hairstylists average salary (salon based)

£20,000 – £40,000

According to the British Hairdressing Association, the typical annual earnings for a hairdresser is between £20,000 and £30,000, depending on a range of factors that we’ll explore in the next section of this guide. Those rates, of course, apply to salaried employees working either full-time or part-time for someone else, most often in a salon. However, if you take on a more senior role you could be on £40,000, in certain circumstances.

Self-employed hairdresser salary

Wide-ranging from £15-£80 an hour

For self-employed hairdressers, rates can range much more widely. It will also depend on whether you operate as a mobile hairdresser, visiting your customers, or rent space in a salon.

Beginners may sometimes charge as little as £15 per hour, but with qualifications, experience and a growing reputation, these rates can grow significantly. Experienced stylists can attract between £40 and £80 per hour (bearing in mind that some of this may be lost to chair rental if operating from a salon).

Specialist hairstylist salary

Upwards of £300 a day

Finally, it’s important to remember that hairdressing as a profession doesn’t have to be solely restricted to styling members of the public. There are plenty of businesses that need expert hairdressing services, too: advertising, marketing, modelling, fashion, TV, film and more. Indeed, at the very top end of the market, hair stylists working on TV or film productions can earn upwards of £300 per day.

 

 

What influences how much hairdressers earn?

Here, we’ll take a look at six of the biggest factors that can affect how much hairdressers get paid. Some of these will be easier to do something about than others, but nevertheless, you should still be aware of all of them so you can plan your financial and career future with confidence:

Location

Geography plays a big role in hairdresser earnings. There are two different ways that are significant:

Regional Differences in Pay
Some parts of the UK have higher average wages than others. Generally speaking, London and the surrounding areas pay more than Scotland, Wales, or Cornwall. However, moving to a high-paying location isn’t always practical.

Affluent Local Areas
Even within lower-income regions, there are more affluent communities where people have higher disposable income for beauty treatments. Mobile stylists who target these wealthier areas can maximise their earnings by catering to clients willing to pay more for convenience.

 

Experience and qualifications

Every hairdresser starts at the bottom and works their way up in experience, skills, and earnings. Those who make hairdressing a lucrative career continually improve their techniques and value.

Get Qualified
To build a strong foundation, obtaining the right qualifications is crucial. Salons and freelance clients pay more for skilled professionals. If you’re just starting out, aim to complete:

  1. The National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Hairdressing (ideally up to Level 3)
  2. Additional diplomas, courses, or certifications to expand your skillset

 

Type of work as a hairdresser

As mentioned earlier, hairdressing is a diverse field, offering various career paths:

Salon Work
If you want to work in a salon or focus on regular, public-facing styling, then that’s absolutely fine and can help give you a solid income and a regular rota of hours to work each week.

 Freelance & Mobile Hairdressing
More flexible and potentially more lucrative, especially in high-income areas.

 Creative and Specialised Fields

If you want to be creative and have more of an entrepreneurial spirit, then some of the other opportunities like media and fashion are well worth exploring.

  • Media & Fashion hairdressing can be high-paying but competitive.
  • Bridal Hairdressing is extremely lucrative—brides and bridesmaids are willing to pay top dollar for perfect wedding-day styling.

If you go freelance, you don’t have to be restricted to one type of hairdressing: it’s perfectly possible to work for different people on different types of styling one day to the next. If you have the skills and you’re willing to travel, it’s one of the best ways to take your earnings to the next level.

 

Employment status

One of the biggest variations in how much hairdressers can make is the type of employment they pursue.

Your employment setup significantly affects how much you can earn.

Working for a Salon

  • Provides a steady pay cheque but limits your earning potential to employer pay scales.
  • Can be difficult to get salary increases, often requiring switching salons for better pay.

Freelancing / Mobile Hairdressing

  • No income ceiling—you set your own prices.
  • You control your hours, but you must factor in costs (covered in the next section).

 

Costs

For every pound that you earn as a self-employed hairdresser, you’ll lose a fair chunk of it to cover various costs that you’ll incur. For example, if you’re operating from a salon, then you’ll have to pay to rent one of their chairs: this can often cost as much as £20-30 an hour, depending on location and type of salon.

If you’re self-employed, your earnings aren’t just what you take home—several expenses eat into your income:

Salon Chair Rental

  • If renting a chair in a salon, this can cost £20-30 per hour depending on the location.

Everyday Business Expenses

  • Equipment & maintenance
  • Transport costs (to clients’ homes or salons)
  • Advertising & marketing
  • Hairdressing insurance
  • Taxes & National Insurance (though some expenses are tax-deductible)

Read our guide to small business taxes for more information in this area.

 

Hours worked and rates of pay

There’s a similar divergence between employed and self-employed hairdressers when it comes to working hours and typical pay rates.

Employed Hairdressers

If you’re employed full-time or part-time, then you’ll be working to a fixed salary, or to an hourly rate which would mean your earnings go up and down depending on the number of hours you’re given. However, you may also find that you can earn more per hour by working shifts at less sociable times, such as at weekends.

Self-Employed Hairdressers

If you’re self-employed, then it’s up to you how much you make, in terms of the hours you work and the rates you charge (taking into account your expenses as mentioned previously). You have total freedom to adjust these over time as you see fit, and to create offers and incentives that attract new customers and encourage repeat business: for example, offering a loyalty discount for your regulars.

 

Get your hairdressing insurance from Protectivity

Whether you’re just starting out in the hairdressing profession, or you’re an experienced stylist wanting to progress, the industry is full of rewards – but it’s full of risk, too. Even the best hairdressers in the world make mistakes from time to time, and in the worst case scenario, this can lead to customers putting in substantial claims for compensation.

It’s for this reason that any self-employed hairdresser should have full insurance cover in place for all their services and equipment. At Protectivity, we offer comprehensive insurance for barbers and hairdressers, meaning you won’t end up out of pocket if you accidentally injure someone, a negligence claim is made against you, or if your or someone else’s property is damaged. And if you employ other members of staff, our cover can also include Employers’ Liability that safeguards you against any staff illness or injury.

Take a closer look at our hairdressing insurance today, including affordable pricing options that start from just £4.50 a month.

Get Hairdressing Insurance from Protectivity

 

 

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Last updated by

Bee Ingram Image

Bee Ingram

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

For the small businesses we support, insurance and financial protection can sometimes seem complicated, especially when getting started. That’s why our content is designed to be clear and practical—providing helpful guidance and ensuring our customers not only find the specialist cover they require but are confident it will do the job they need.

 

 

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