Jacob Ammentorp Lund / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
At times it may feel difficult to navigate the service industry’s rate of pay, and how much you should tip in any given situation. Tipping people who provide you with personal services is not only good etiquette but also a vital part of how they make a living. Good rules to follow are to never anger someone who brings you food and never cheap out on someone in charge of how you look.
How Much to Tip Hairdresser or Barber: Quick Take
Tipping etiquette varies, but in the realm of hairdressing, a tip of 20% to 25% is often recommended. Here are some things to consider:
- This range is particularly suitable for regular salon patrons or for those who are extremely satisfied with their new look.
- Adequate tipping are service fees that not only showcase your appreciation for the service rendered but also help cultivate a strong rapport with your stylist.
- If you have your phone with you, it’s pretty easy to calculate the tip. For example, if you want to tip 20%, divide 20 by 100 and multiply it by your total bill. That should give you the amount you need to tip.
- If you use a credit card, many tablets or points of service will generate tip estimations for you so you can click on the percentage that you feel is right.
How Much to Tip Hairdresser or Barber: Standard Gratuity
| Total Bill | Industry Standard: 20% | Above and Beyond Service or Holiday Tip: 25% |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| $50 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $100 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| $250 | $50.00 | $62.50 |
| $300 | $60.00 | $75.00 |
Why You Should Tip Your Hairdresser or Barber
Since hairdressers provide a valuable service, it’s important to understand why and how much you should tip. The cost of service is often proportionate to the amount of time and effort spent making you look and feel good after your salon visit. Here are some key takeaways:
- Many hairdressers, barbers or salon owners make most of their living off of tips rather than an hourly wage, making tipping at least the standard 20% all the more important.
- If they choose to go out of their way to clean the space for you, make small talk, give you compliments about your hair and offer a complimentary drink, it’s courteous to tip them for their services or even increase the tip amount you were intending.
- By tipping the salon owner or service provider, you show them your appreciation. This can strengthen your relationship with them and ensure that they can continue providing you with excellent service.
How Much to Tip Based on the Type of Service
The amount you tip can also depend on the type of service provided to you. Some people may tip 15% to 20% on the total bill, while others may choose to leave no tip at all. However, you should only do that if the service was absolutely terrible. Not tipping is a rude money habit.
It is ultimately up to you how much you want to tip your hairdresser as a gratuity. For example, you should leave a tip of less than 15% only if you were extremely unsatisfied with the quality of service provided and plan on not coming back to the salon.
It’s important to note that many hairstylists may not consider 10% an acceptable tip. They might think of it as more of an obligation on your part rather than an act of gratitude. So be sure to think twice before leaving a 10% tip.
20% Tip
You should tip 20% when:
- You’re over the moon about the quality of service and how your hair looks.
- You are on good terms with your hairstylist and want to let them know they are appreciated.
- You want to create a good relationship with the hairdresser because you love their services.
20% is considered a standard tip to indicate to your hairdresser that you’re satisfied with the service provided. You will definitely want to tip this much if you are on good terms with your regular hairdresser.
Good To Know
You should opt for tipping a certain percentage rather than sticking to a $10 or $5 flat amount since you might be paying just $10 for a $200 service while the actual 20% tip for it would be $40.
Tip More Than 20% Depending on the Service
You should tip closer to 22% to 25% if:
- Your hair is challenging to manage, but the hairstylist did a great job at it.
- You were late for your appointment, rescheduled within 24 hours of your original appointment time or caused some other inconvenience that your hairstylist had to accommodate.
- You feel the price for the actual service is less than other salons, and you want to make sure the hairdresser gets their effort’s worth.
- Your hairstylist spent over three hours putting in highlights, bleaching or dyeing your hair.
- You want to tip extra for the holiday season.
How Much to Tip Hairdressers for Hair Color
If you go in for hair color, you should tip at least 20%, if not more. This service deserves a higher tip since the process is time-consuming and your hairdresser would have to put other things on hold to cater to you.
Moreover, if someone other than the hairstylist is shampooing and conditioning your hair, you should tip them between $5 to $10.
You should tip more than 20% if:
- Your hairstylist is also bleaching your strands.
- You’ve opted for a difficult hair coloring technique.
- Your hairstylist is adding highlights.
- You’re served a complimentary drink or snack while you wait for the hair color to set.
The tipping percentage can differ according to your location since salon services are priced differently in each state.
Final Take To GO
As it can take hours upon hours for hairstylists to style, cut and color hair, the expectation is they’ll be compensated appropriately. Tipping is common etiquette, and you should know how much to tip a hairstylist since it will save you awkwardness and calculations while you’re getting your hair done. Next time you go to your favorite hair salon, before leaving that salon make sure to tip your stylist at least 20% gratuity.
GOBankingRates’ Tipping Guides
- Your Complete Tipping Guide
- How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
- How Much to Tip a House Sitter
- How Much to Tip House Cleaners
- How Much to Tip Movers
- How Much to Tip at the Nail Salon
- How Much to Tip Your Uber or Lyft Driver
- How Much to Tip Your Delivery Driver
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how much to tip hairdressers.
- How much do you tip for a $200 hair color?
- As a 20% tip is standard according to any tip etiquette expert, depending on what kind of cut or color service you opted for you may want to tip a bit more. There can be a difference between tipping salon assistants for shampooing your hair and say a holiday tip. However, for standard gratuity purposes, 20% of $200 would be a $40 tip.
- Can you tip your hairdresser 15%?
- Though 15% used to be the standard going rate, 20% is now considered the minimum tip for satisfied customers.
- Do you actually tip your hairstylist 20%?
- Yes, 20% is considered the going rate for tipping stylists or salon owners who work on your hair.
- Is it OK to tip the hairdresser 10%?
- Tipping is always optional, and though there are no mandated rules, 20% is considered the standard going rate for the industry so a 10% tip would be considered quite low.
- How much do you tip a hairdresser on $300?
- If you tipped your hairdresser the standard rate of 20% gratuity, you would tip $60 on a $300 bill. However, if you got more complicated services such as a color service you might opt to tip 22% to 25% which would leave your tip range anywhere from $66 to $75 for a $300 visit to the salon.
Cameron Cole and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
The article above was refined via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of our editorial team.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists."
- Real Simple. 2022. "This Is How Much to Tip Hairstylists and Colorists (Plus One Time You Don't Need to Tip)."
- Cosmopolitan. 2021. "How Much To Tip Your Hairdresser for a Cut, Trim, or Color."
- Glamour. "What No One Tells You About Tipping at the Hair Salon."
