The industry standard commission range is 40 to 50 percent of service revenue. New stylists typically start at 40 percent. Senior stylists with a full column can negotiate 50 percent or higher. Some salons use a tiered system:
- 40 percent until the stylist hits $3,000 in services per month
- 45 percent from $3,000 to $5,000
- 50 percent above $5,000
That structure rewards performance without blowing up the payroll. Commission on retail is separate and typically runs 10 to 15 percent. Do not set commission based on what feels fair. Set it by working backwards from the number you need to pay the bills, cover your own salary, and still have margin left over. The calculator below does that math in 90 seconds.
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What is the average commission for a hair stylist?
The average commission for a hair stylist is 40 to 50 percent of service revenue, with new stylists closer to 40 percent and senior stylists with a full column at 50 percent or higher. Retail commission is separate and averages 10 to 15 percent. Averages are a starting point, not a rule: the right split for your salon comes from working backwards from the number you need to pay the bills, cover your own salary, and still keep a 10 to 15 percent margin.