How Much to Tip Hairdresser
Posted on Jun 15, 2023
Whether navigating hair salon etiquette for the first time, or just wondering how much to tip hairdresser for different services, finding the correct info can be tricky. We’re here to help.
What You Will Learn
We’ll go over the basics of how much to tip at hair salons, including what’s considered a good tip amount for different hair services. We’ll also discuss the do’s and don’ts of hair industry tipping.
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Should You Tip At A Hairdresser?
Many people ask “are you supposed to tip your hairdresser?”
Simply put, yes.
When you think about it, it’s a bit strange that our culture has widely-accepted amounts for tipping at restaurants, but we don’t have clear guides for how much to tip your hairdresser.
It’s generally considered good etiquette to tip at the hair salon, and shows your appreciation for your hair stylists. This is especially important if you want to develop a regular relationship with them and keep coming back.
How Much Should You Tip Your Hair Stylist?
Deciding how much to tip a hair stylist can seem tricky, especially when many hairdressers provide multiple services to clients. While it’s always good practice to tip at the hair salon, the amount might vary depending on the service you’re getting.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor hair stylists are required to make at least the federal minimum wage, so they’re in a different category than restaurant servers and other tipped employees, who can sometimes be paid less than minimum wage.
In general, the standard tip your hairdresser should receive is around 15%-20% of the service cost, but you shouldn’t usually tip less than $4 or $5 if possible.
Let’s look at tipping hair salon staff in more detail…
We recommend you to check out our post on hair styles.
Should You Tip If You Do Not Like Your Hair?
And now we come to the complex question of how much to tip your hairdresser if you’re unhappy with your hair.
Of course, tipping is not mandatory (but it’s considered good form to do it), so you’re not obligated to tip at salons where you receive truly awful service.
On the other hand, if you’re unhappy with your hair, the better solution is usually just to say something while you’re still in the salon. Then, your hair stylist or salon owner can correct any issues before you leave, so you should still consider tipping them.
When Should You Tip More For Your Hairdresser’s Time?
There are some situations where you may want to go the extra mile regarding how much to tip a hairdresser or salon receptionist, and a lot of it is intuitive.
Here are some examples:
- Special Events - If you’re a large group booked in for a bridal party or birthday event, think about what to tip salon assistants about the extra work they’ll be doing for your special day. You may even consider tips for stylist’s assistant and person shampooing.
- Complex Hair Appointment - How much do you tip for a complex hair coloring with deep conditioning in one go? Adding a bit of extra money to show you appreciate your hairstylists hard work can go a long way here.
- They Go the Extra Mile - If salon assistants or front desk at your hair salon went above and beyond to help you, fit you in at the end of the day and stayed late, or just did an amazing job, then giving a generous tip (or even bringing a small gift to your next hair appointment) can how your appreciation and make your hair salon happy.
FAQs
How much to tip hairdresser on $200?
The golden rule is "You should tip 20 % on the entire service cost, not per individual,". So, if your bill comes to $200, you would typically tip $40.
How much to tip hairdressers at Christmas?
Of course, tipping your hairdresser a gift for the holiday season isn’t obligatory, but if you have a very friendly relationship, something extra that isn't too expensive is always appreciated. The general rule is to double the 15 to 20 percent you usually give.
Do not miss our post on how to find a hairstylist.
Conclusion
Like many bits of etiquette, these are guidelines rather than hard and fast rules.
When deciding how much to tip hairdresser, use your judgment based on the situation, how happy you are with your haircut, and whether you want to become a regular client. It’s also important to keep your budget in mind.
Citations
Who do we tip and why? An empirical investigation
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00036840500119018
The economics and etiquette of tipping
https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/ielapa.200501182
Tipping participation and expenditures in beauty salons
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00036840050155959