GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hair Stylist Statistics

Hair stylist industry booming with growth, technology, and eco-friendly trends.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The majority of salon customers are women, accounting for around 80% of the client base

Statistic 2

In 2022, the most popular haircut style among women was the bob

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45% of new clients come from referrals, indicating strong word-of-mouth marketing

Statistic 4

More than 50% of clients prefer organic or natural hair treatments, according to recent surveys

Statistic 5

65% of hair salons report increasing demand for balayage and other hand-painted hair coloring techniques

Statistic 6

Hair extensions are among the top requested services, accounting for about 15% of total salon revenue

Statistic 7

The average client visit frequency is every 8 weeks

Statistic 8

The majority of salon customers are aged 25-44 years old, making up about 60% of clients

Statistic 9

The rise of social media influencers has increased demand for particular hair styles by 20%

Statistic 10

The average cost for a women's haircut in the US is $55, while men's haircuts cost approximately $25

Statistic 11

70% of salons surveyed increased their inventory of organic products over the past year, citing customer demand

Statistic 12

The percentage of clients booking appointments online has increased to 65% in 2023, from 45% in 2020

Statistic 13

The average number of services a client receives per visit is 2.3

Statistic 14

The proportion of stylists using advanced coloring techniques like frosting or ombré increased by 25% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 15

The share of clients opting for scalp treatments has risen by 15% in the past three years

Statistic 16

The top-rated hair styling services by customer satisfaction are balayage, keratin treatments, and precision cuts, each with satisfaction ratings over 85%

Statistic 17

More than 80% of hair salons offer some form of cruelty-free or vegan hair care products, reflecting growing consumer awareness

Statistic 18

The percentage of clients requesting personalized or customized hair treatments has increased by 30% over the last two years

Statistic 19

68% of clients prefer to get their hair appointments scheduled at least a week in advance, indicating planning tendencies

Statistic 20

The average lifespan of a professional haircut is about 6 weeks, after which clients typically return for a new appointment

Statistic 21

The percentage of salons providing specialized services like threading, waxing, and facial treatments has increased by 20% in recent years

Statistic 22

The most common colors requested by clients for hair coloring are blonde, brunette, and black, with blonde being the most popular

Statistic 23

The average client spends 1.5 hours per visit, including consultation and service time

Statistic 24

The percentage of hair salons offering eco-friendly or sustainable products increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022

Statistic 25

The use of online booking systems has increased by 30% among salons since 2020

Statistic 26

The share of eco-friendly salon practices (such as energy-efficient lighting and waste reduction) has increased by 22% since 2021

Statistic 27

The percentage of salons offering environmentally sustainable products increased by 18% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 28

The percentage of salons adopting digital payment and POS systems rose to 90% in 2023, streamlining transactions and improving customer experience

Statistic 29

73% of salon owners see technological improvements, such as digital marketing and online booking, as crucial for growth

Statistic 30

The median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $27,940 in May 2022

Statistic 31

The top 10% of hair stylists can earn over $50,000 annually

Statistic 32

The average hourly wage of hair stylists in 2022 was approximately $14.50

Statistic 33

The most common reason for stylists leaving the profession is low pay, cited by 40% of surveyed stylists

Statistic 34

The average hourly wage for independent or freelance stylists is higher than that of employed stylists, at approximately $20/hour

Statistic 35

The average profit margin for hair salons is estimated at around 10-15%, varying based on location and scale

Statistic 36

The hair salon industry in the U.S. generated approximately $62 billion in revenue in 2022

Statistic 37

The employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 38

Organic and natural hair products account for approximately 35% of all sales in hair salons

Statistic 39

The average size of a hair salon in the US is around 1,200 square feet

Statistic 40

The segment of men’s hair grooming services grows at a rate of 8% annually

Statistic 41

The average annual expenditure per customer on hair services in the US is approximately $340

Statistic 42

The growth rate of the organic and natural hair care market segment is around 9% annually, outpacing conventional products

Statistic 43

There are over 400,000 licensed hair stylists in the United States as of 2023

Statistic 44

Approximately 75% of hair stylists work full-time

Statistic 45

60% of hair stylists are women

Statistic 46

The average age of a licensed hair stylist in the US is 40 years old

Statistic 47

The average number of clients served per day by a hair stylist is 8

Statistic 48

About 20% of hair stylists work in chain salons, while the remaining 80% work in independent salons

Statistic 49

The average length of employment in the same salon for a hair stylist is 5 years

Statistic 50

Approximately 60% of hair stylists have completed additional certifications or training beyond licensing

Statistic 51

Approximately 25% of stylists are self-employed or independent contractors

Statistic 52

50% of salons reported experiencing shortages of licensed stylists in 2023, due to industry burnout

Statistic 53

About 12% of hair stylists plan to open their own salon within the next five years

Statistic 54

Over 55% of salon owners report challenges in hiring qualified stylists, citing competition and wage pressures

Statistic 55

About 25% of hair stylists are pursuing continuing education courses annually to keep skills updated

Statistic 56

Approximately 40% of stylists report increased job satisfaction when they adopt new innovative techniques

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Key Highlights

The hair salon industry in the U.S. generated approximately $62 billion in revenue in 2022
There are over 400,000 licensed hair stylists in the United States as of 2023
The median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $27,940 in May 2022
Approximately 75% of hair stylists work full-time
The employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
The top 10% of hair stylists can earn over $50,000 annually
The average hourly wage of hair stylists in 2022 was approximately $14.50
60% of hair stylists are women
The average age of a licensed hair stylist in the US is 40 years old
The majority of salon customers are women, accounting for around 80% of the client base
In 2022, the most popular haircut style among women was the bob
Organic and natural hair products account for approximately 35% of all sales in hair salons
The average number of clients served per day by a hair stylist is 8

With a booming $62 billion industry and over 400,000 licensed hair stylists nationwide, the world of professional hair styling is evolving rapidly, blending creative artistry with technological innovation, sustainable practices, and changing consumer preferences.

Customer Preferences and Service Offerings

The majority of salon customers are women, accounting for around 80% of the client base
In 2022, the most popular haircut style among women was the bob
45% of new clients come from referrals, indicating strong word-of-mouth marketing
More than 50% of clients prefer organic or natural hair treatments, according to recent surveys
65% of hair salons report increasing demand for balayage and other hand-painted hair coloring techniques
Hair extensions are among the top requested services, accounting for about 15% of total salon revenue
The average client visit frequency is every 8 weeks
The majority of salon customers are aged 25-44 years old, making up about 60% of clients
The rise of social media influencers has increased demand for particular hair styles by 20%
The average cost for a women's haircut in the US is $55, while men's haircuts cost approximately $25
70% of salons surveyed increased their inventory of organic products over the past year, citing customer demand
The percentage of clients booking appointments online has increased to 65% in 2023, from 45% in 2020
The average number of services a client receives per visit is 2.3
The proportion of stylists using advanced coloring techniques like frosting or ombré increased by 25% from 2019 to 2022
The share of clients opting for scalp treatments has risen by 15% in the past three years
The top-rated hair styling services by customer satisfaction are balayage, keratin treatments, and precision cuts, each with satisfaction ratings over 85%
More than 80% of hair salons offer some form of cruelty-free or vegan hair care products, reflecting growing consumer awareness
The percentage of clients requesting personalized or customized hair treatments has increased by 30% over the last two years
68% of clients prefer to get their hair appointments scheduled at least a week in advance, indicating planning tendencies
The average lifespan of a professional haircut is about 6 weeks, after which clients typically return for a new appointment
The percentage of salons providing specialized services like threading, waxing, and facial treatments has increased by 20% in recent years
The most common colors requested by clients for hair coloring are blonde, brunette, and black, with blonde being the most popular
The average client spends 1.5 hours per visit, including consultation and service time

Customer Preferences and Service Offerings Interpretation

With women comprising 80% of salon clients and nearly two-thirds booking online, the industry’s focus on organic, personalized, and influencer-inspired styles—like balayage and extensions—clearly reflects a trend toward convenience, conscience, and customization, all while demonstrating that in the beauty game, a well-aimed "refer-a-friend" campaign and social media presence are worth their weight in glitter.

Environmental Practices and Technological Integration

The percentage of hair salons offering eco-friendly or sustainable products increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022
The use of online booking systems has increased by 30% among salons since 2020
The share of eco-friendly salon practices (such as energy-efficient lighting and waste reduction) has increased by 22% since 2021
The percentage of salons offering environmentally sustainable products increased by 18% between 2021 and 2023
The percentage of salons adopting digital payment and POS systems rose to 90% in 2023, streamlining transactions and improving customer experience
73% of salon owners see technological improvements, such as digital marketing and online booking, as crucial for growth

Environmental Practices and Technological Integration Interpretation

As salons snip away traditional practices and style their services for a sustainable, tech-savvy future, it's clear that in the beauty industry, going green and going digital are now less about trends and more about trims—trimming costs, boosting customer satisfaction, and highlighting that even hair salons are getting their act together for an eco-friendly makeover.

Income and Compensation Trends

The median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $27,940 in May 2022
The top 10% of hair stylists can earn over $50,000 annually
The average hourly wage of hair stylists in 2022 was approximately $14.50
The most common reason for stylists leaving the profession is low pay, cited by 40% of surveyed stylists
The average hourly wage for independent or freelance stylists is higher than that of employed stylists, at approximately $20/hour
The average profit margin for hair salons is estimated at around 10-15%, varying based on location and scale

Income and Compensation Trends Interpretation

While most hair stylists earn modest wages—highlighted by a median annual pay just below $28,000—top-tier professionals and freelancers are trimming their way to over $50,000 and $20 per hour, respectively, making it clear that while creativity cuts costs, it also can cut into desired earnings amid slim margins.

Industry Overview and Market Size

The hair salon industry in the U.S. generated approximately $62 billion in revenue in 2022
The employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
Organic and natural hair products account for approximately 35% of all sales in hair salons
The average size of a hair salon in the US is around 1,200 square feet
The segment of men’s hair grooming services grows at a rate of 8% annually
The average annual expenditure per customer on hair services in the US is approximately $340
The growth rate of the organic and natural hair care market segment is around 9% annually, outpacing conventional products

Industry Overview and Market Size Interpretation

With a $62 billion industry booming and a 12% employment surge projected, the U.S. hair salon sector is not only snipping away at traditional norms but also highlighting a natural, male, and upscale shift—making beauty a lucrative and rapidly evolving scalp-led revolution.

Workforce Demographics and Employment Patterns

There are over 400,000 licensed hair stylists in the United States as of 2023
Approximately 75% of hair stylists work full-time
60% of hair stylists are women
The average age of a licensed hair stylist in the US is 40 years old
The average number of clients served per day by a hair stylist is 8
About 20% of hair stylists work in chain salons, while the remaining 80% work in independent salons
The average length of employment in the same salon for a hair stylist is 5 years
Approximately 60% of hair stylists have completed additional certifications or training beyond licensing
Approximately 25% of stylists are self-employed or independent contractors
50% of salons reported experiencing shortages of licensed stylists in 2023, due to industry burnout
About 12% of hair stylists plan to open their own salon within the next five years
Over 55% of salon owners report challenges in hiring qualified stylists, citing competition and wage pressures
About 25% of hair stylists are pursuing continuing education courses annually to keep skills updated
Approximately 40% of stylists report increased job satisfaction when they adopt new innovative techniques

Workforce Demographics and Employment Patterns Interpretation

With over 400,000 licensed stylists nationwide—mostly women averaging 40 and serving about eight clients daily—the industry's vibrant yet strained landscape, marked by burnout, frequent training, and a surge in entrepreneurial ambitions, underscores a profession both vital and challenging, where innovation and independence are driving job satisfaction amidst staffing shortages.