Hair, beauty and barbering industry is finally shaking off low wage reputation, says NHBF

Many hair salons, beauty salons and barber shops consistently pay their employees well above the National Minimum or National Living Wage, research from the NHBF has shown, suggesting the industry’s reputation for poor or low wages may be unjustified.

Although stylists, barbers and beauty therapists will normally expect to start their career on the National Minimum Wage, progression and responsibility can come quickly as stylists and barbers build up their client “column” within the salon. Nearly three quarters (74.8%) of the business owners polled said they paid their staff commission and more than half (56.2%) paid bonuses on top of base salary.

The poll found that, on average, hair stylists with more than two years’ experience are paid between £8.02 and £9.17 an hour. Experienced barbers are paid between £8.07 and £8.90 an hour while beauty therapists earn between £7.38 and £8.04 an hour.

Given that the National Living Wage (for over-25s) is currently £7.20 an hour, this survey shows that many in the hair and beauty industry are being paid well above the National Living Wage, the NHBF has argued. The survey also revealed that high salaries of £30,000 or more are available to experienced staff working in larger salons, particularly in London and the south east.

Even apprentices were on an average of £4.11 to £4.36 an hour, the survey concluded, well above the minimum apprentice rate of £3.40 an hour.

Hairdressing and beauty salons and barber shops have been in the spotlight around low pay in recent years,” said NHBF chief executive Hilary. “For salons that are breaking the law and failing to pay staff their legal minimum that is only right – there are no excuses for not paying people what they legally due.

“But this survey shows that our industry’s reputation for low pay is unfounded. Many salons pay their staff well above the minimum, whether that’s the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage,” she added.

“It’s positive to see that so many salons are now recognising the value and worth of their talented team members. We need to shake off this image of hairdressing, barbering and beauty as a low pay industry, otherwise we will fail to attract talented and creative people into the industry – yet they are our future,” NHBF president Agnes Leonard said.

The full report which includes wages for a range of job roles, information on chair renting and treatment room charges, bonuses, commissions and staff benefits is available free of charge to NHBF members.

Click here to download your copy of the wages survey report.