11 December 2018
An industry wages survey carried out by the NHBF found that many salons are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to pay and prices.
“Good staff are becoming harder to find and there is constant pressure to pay more,” says NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall: “But at the same time, costs are going up and competition remains fierce, which means salons are afraid to raise prices in case clients go elsewhere. But if they don’t put their prices up, they can’t cover their costs.”
Almost 700 people responded to the survey which found that most staff were paid at National Minimum Wage levels appropriate to their age, or the National Living Wage for over-25s. Only experienced staff and managers were paid £10 an hour or more. This was true across the UK, although wages were a little higher in central London.
Position |
Most commonly paid wage (range) |
| Apprentice | £3.70 |
| Stylist (less than 2 years' experience) | £7.50 to £8.00 |
| Stylist (more than 2 years' experience) | £8.00 to £10.00 |
| Barber (less than 1 years' experience) | £7.50 to £8.00 |
| Barber (more than a years' experience) | £10.00 |
| Beauty therapist (less than 2 years' experience) | £8.00 to £8.75 |
| Beauty therapist (more than 2 years' experience) | £8.00 to £10.00 |
| Nail service technician | £10.00 |
| Receptionist | £8.00 |
| Managers | £10.00 to £15.00 |
More than three-quarters of the employers surveyed paid bonuses or commissions. Hilary added, “Employers said how difficult it is to come up with effective wages and commission structures which work well for both the business and its employees. The NHBF’s expert business coaching team say they are asked for advice on wages, bonuses, commissions and pricing more than any other topic.”
“Our survey also showed that people love working in our industry,”
“Our survey also showed that people love working in our industry,” says NHBF President, Agnes Leonard. “Making clients look and feel great, working with other team members and being part of a happy working environment were all ranked as important things which give tremendous job satisfaction.”
A copy of the full report on the survey findings is available free of charge to NHBF Members. A copy will also be sent to everyone who filled in the questionnaire.
NHBF Members can download the Wages Survey here
For further information on the NHBF Business Coaches, visit here
The survey was carried out by the NHBF in collaboration with HJ and Professional Beauty in September 2018.