What’s the difference between a cut and a trim? Why do some stylists charge more for highlights than others? More importantly, why are your best friend’s hair appointments so much cheaper than yours?
All of these are valid questions with slightly complex answers. Average hair salon prices across the country can vary for many reasons. Some of the main factors include:
- Stylist’s experience and skill level
- Stylist’s licensing and education
- Stylist’s operational and appointment expenses
- Type of salon or shop
- Competition and demand in the area
- Local cost of living
- Additional services needed for the appointment
- State of client’s hair and hair history
Since these are just a few factors that can influence pricing, it’s tough to know if you’re getting fairly charged at the salon. It can get even more confusing when stylists use different pricing structures and names.
To help you gauge prices before booking your next hair appointment, we put together a guide on average hair salon prices to help you understand the typical costs for popular services.
Some ranges for specific services may differ from the broader ranges we highlight. Minor discrepancies like this result from things like pricing differences between salons, different names, and different groupings of services. You can use our guide as a starting point to help you compare prices in your area.
Average hair salon prices can range from $10 to $150 on the low end and between $200 and $1,000 on the high end.
| Hair salon service | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Men’s cut | $15 to $40 |
| Women’s cut | $10 to $90 |
| Kids’ cut | $15 to $40 |
| Trim | $5 to $115 |
| Cut and color | $20 to $125 |
| Cut and style | $50 to $190 |
| Styling | $10 to $65 |
| Special occasion style | $40 to $325 |
| Updos | $50 and $130 |
| Bridal hair | $60 to $400 |
| Blowout | $20 to $100 |
| Perm | $30 to $800 |
| Permanent hair straightening | $40 to $425 |
| Silk press | $60 to $100 |
| Braids | $40 to $200 |
| Locs | $50 to $150 |
| Faux locs | $130 to $300 |
| Hair color | $75 to $200 |
| Balayage | $75 to $450 |
| Bleach | $50 to $400 |
| Highlights | $20 to $200 |
| Hair treatments | $10 to $100 |
| Hair extensions | $300 to $1,000 |
| Consultation | Free to $50 |
| Tip | 10% to 25% |
Notable hair salon price trends based on internal StyleSeat data:
- Trims can cost as much or more than regular haircuts.
- Men’s and women’s haircuts are generally more expensive on the West Coast.
- Braids cost more than $100 on average in Hawaii, Missouri, and Washington, D.C.
- 42% of states included in the data have average hair stylings costs at $30 or below.
How much is a haircut?
The average cost of a haircut can range from $10 to $90. The factors we previously mentioned can influence the price of a haircut in your area. Haircut prices can also vary if you’re getting a cut that requires special skills or techniques. For example, creating long layers with thick hair requires a much different skill set than creating an undercut design under long hair. We’ll cover the average cost of different types of haircuts below.
Average men’s haircut cost
The average men’s haircut costs about $15 to $40. Both barbershops and hair salons can offer men’s cuts, but these places slightly differ. A barber typically focuses on cutting and grooming hair, while hair salons offer more styling services and options, but services vary from shop to shop.
Average cost of a women’s haircut
The average women’s haircut costs $10 to $90. Women’s haircuts typically cost more than men’s due to length and the time and effort needed to cut and style long hair.
Average kids’ haircut cost
A kids’ haircut costs $15 to $40 on average. In addition to the cut itself, you’re also paying for that stylist’s or barber’s ability to work well with children.
Average cost of a trim
The average costs of trims range from $5 to $115. Costs can vary based on the type of trim. You can see a breakdown of popular types of trims below.
| Type of trim | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Neck trim | $5 to $50 |
| Bang trim | $5 to $60 |
| Extension trim | $10 to $115 |
| Women’s trim | $10 to $60 |
| Men’s trim | $15 to $80 |
A trim is when a stylist can clean up your ends, take off some length, and do other techniques to help you maintain your current style. A haircut focuses on creating a new shape or look. Contrary to what some may think, trims and haircuts can take about the same amount of time and effort. You may pay about the same for a trim as you would for a haircut.
Average cost of common haircut packages
Haircut packages range from $20 to $190 — some stylists bundle haircuts with other popular services. For example, a cut and style is a common combo at salons. These packages may be the default set of services for a basic haircut.
Here are a couple of popular packages you’ll probably find at your local salon.
| Type of package | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Cut and style | $20 to $125 |
| Cut and color | $50 to $190 |
Non-gendered pricing
Opting for non-gendered pricing can help you get fair prices that don’t consider gender. Salons focusing on non-gendered pricing use factors like hair length and thickness to determine the price.
How much is hair styling?
Hair styling can range from $10 to $65. Styling can mean many different things, ranging from simple curls with a curling iron to a full blowout for a wedding. We’ll cover popular types of hair styling below.
Special occasion style pricing
Special occasion styling can cost $40 to $325 on average. This is the package you’ll need if you’re getting ready for an important dinner or for your big birthday night out. Special occasion styles can range from intricate formal looks for long hair to styles with lots of accessories.
Updos in particular can cost between $50 and $130. These special styles can cost more if you’re adding extensions for length or tacking on any coloring services.
Bridal pricing
Bridal hair can cost between $60 and $400. Stylists may put bridal hair styling in its own category since these styles can be more complex than any other special occasion. You’ll start with a consultation, a trial to test the look before the big day, then get the bridal hair service on the day of your wedding.
Although it runs on the more expensive side, stylists may offer group discounts for bridal parties or for hair and makeup packages. However, you can expect the bride’s trial and wedding day look to cost more than those in the bridal party.
Below is a quick breakdown of typical costs for bridal hair:
| Bridal service | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Bridal consultation | $2 to $150 |
| Bridal trial | $30 to $130 |
| Bridal hair | $60 to $400 |
Blowout pricing
Blowouts can cost from $20 to $100. A blowout includes a wash and blow-dry to style the hair. You can get waves, curls, or straight hair with lots of body and bounce. There are many types and brands of blowouts — some salons may even have proprietary blowout services that they’ve created.
For example, a Brazilian blowout can cost from $75 to $325. This smoothing treatment involves a couple of washes, a flat-ironing step to seal the keratin treatment, and a blow-dry and style to finish it off.
Perms
Perms can cost between $30 and $800. Styling services like perms focus on altering or breaking down the bonds in your hair to create a permanent change to your hair’s texture. You may be picturing traditional ‘80s curls, but modern perms can create many styles, from curly to straight.
Relaxers and other straightening treatments
Permanent hair straightening can cost anywhere from $40 to $425. This includes popular choices like Japanese hair straightening and relaxers. These treatments also focus on breaking down bonds to create smooth, straight hair.
If you’re not a fan of harsh chemicals or permanently changing your hair, you can try a silk press. Silk presses cost between $60 and $100. This service primarily uses heat styling to straighten and add body to the hair. It’s more gentle on hair than permanent hair straightening but only lasts up to a few weeks.
| Straightening service | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Relaxers | $40 to $150 |
| Silk press | $60 to $100 |
| Japanese hair straightening | $120 to $425 |
Braids
Braids cost between $40 and $200 on average. Getting braids at the salon can be an all-day affair depending on the style and look you want. The following factors are just a few things that can affect the cost of your braid installation appointment:
- Cleansing or detangling needed prior
- Amount of braiding hair needed
- Type of braiding hair used
- Your desired look and type of braids
- Size of your braids
- Intricacy of your style
For example, box braid prices can range from $75 to $450. There are many ways to spice up box braids, like with unique parts, colored braiding hair, and accessories. This versatility and customization contribute to the wide price range for this look.
On the other hand, cornrows can cost between $40 and $180. Cornrows are braided against the scalp, while box braids hang freely. Cornrows are also the base for many styles, like sew-in weaves and Fulani braids.
Locs
Locs can cost from $50 to $150. Locs are a long-term commitment since they take a long time to form. Before getting locs, you also need to take into consideration the time and money you’ll need to spend on retwisting or retightening to maintain the look.
Despite the effort needed to create this look, locs are a beautiful and versatile style for those who are willing to dedicate the necessary time. There are also different styles of locs that have their own price points.
For example, Sisterlocks can cost between $100 and $1,000. These are very skinny locs that are easy to style once they’re installed. However, they can take a long time to install and require a certified Sisterlocks Consultant.
Faux locs are another option if you want to experiment, but you don’t want to commit to permanently changing your hair. Faux locs cost between $130 and $300 in most areas.
How much is hair color?
Hair color can range from $75 to $200 on average, but the cost of dyeing your hair can vary greatly based on:
- How much hair you’re coloring, like if you’re getting all-over color
- What technique your stylist is using, ex: balayage
- Current state of your hair and hair history, like if you’ve box-dyed your hair in the past
- How many sessions you’ll need to achieve desired look, ex: if you want to go from black to blonde
- Other add-ons, like if you’re also getting a cut and style
You can generally expect to pay less if you start with virgin hair or healthy hair, you’re not coloring much of your hair, and if you only need one session.
Here are prices for some popular hair coloring services:
| Hair coloring service | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Balayage | $75 to $450 |
| Bleach | $50 to $400 |
| Highlights | $20 to $200 |
How much are hair treatments?
Hair treatments range from $10 to $100 on average. This is a broad category that can encompass many services, from deep conditioning treatments to bond repair treatments. Many salons offer these services to improve your hair’s health.
Names can especially vary for different types of treatments. Some brands and products may have a special license that allows stylists to offer their treatments. For example, Olaplex has certified stylists and partner salons to ensure stylists understand how to work with their products.
Below are average prices for popular hair treatments:
| Type of hair treatment | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Deep conditioning | $15 to $300 |
| Keratin treatment | $80 to $400 |
| Clarifying treatment | $15 to $130 |
| Hot oil treatment | $20 to $70 |
How much are hair extensions?
Hair extensions can cost between $300 and $1,000. There are many kinds of hair extensions you can use to achieve different looks — it all depends on how long you want your style to last, the state of your hair, and how comfortable you are with different types.
For example, weaves can cost between $200 and $1,500. These extensions are meant to last long since a stylist securely installs them in your natural hair. This is a great choice if you want a secure look that you won’t need to touch up often. However, the price for installation can be a little steep for some. It can also feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to having your natural hair closely braided to your scalp.
The following factors can impact the cost of your hair extension appointment:
- Amount of hair needed for your desired look
- Whether or not you need to bring your own hair
- Type of hair used for hair extensions, like virgin hair or synthetic hair
- Types of extensions used, like clip-ons versus I-Tips
- Skill and time needed to install extensions
How much is a hair consultation?
Consultations can be free and cost up to $50 on average. The consultation is your opportunity to ask your stylist questions about their services, pricing, and to see if you’re a good candidate for the service you want. They can help you understand what to expect and may even recommend other services that work better for your hair goals.
How much do you tip for a haircut?
You should tip between 10 and 25 percent for a haircut. Tips show your stylist how much you appreciate their work and help you build a relationship with them. A higher tip usually means that you really loved the end result, while a lower tip usually means you weren’t as happy with it.
However, you shouldn’t let your tip do all the talking. Directly communicate with your stylist before and during your appointment to make sure you both understand what you want.
Frequently asked questions about hair salon prices
Still have unanswered questions? We rounded up a few more common hair salon pricing questions below.
What kind of deals can clients ask for?
You can ask stylists if they offer group discounts, holiday deals, discounted time slots, packages, and any other discounts for your profession or age. These discounts could help make your dream stylist’s services fit your budget. Beyond these typical deals, it’s up to a stylist if they want to offer any special discounts.
However, you shouldn’t go into a salon with the intent to haggle with the stylists every time. Stylists and barbers, like any other profession, aren’t obligated to give you discounts. These professionals need to keep prices fair to maintain a livable wage for themselves and their staff. Remember, you’re paying for their skills and experience in addition to the hard costs they incur from running their business.
Can I get other services at a hair salon?
You can get non-hair services if your salon offers them. Many salons allow you to bundle services like haircuts with other beauty treatments, like brow waxes or even full glam makeup.
Some stylists may offer to travel to you if you prefer to get your hair and other services done at home. These house calls normally come with an additional charge.
Is it rude to ask a hairdresser how much they charge?
It’s not rude to ask a hairdresser how much they charge, especially if you’re unsure about the final cost of your potential appointment. It’s fair to ask so you can see if it fits your budget and understand what’s included. Confirming the price beforehand is also important if you want a complex style or color. It’s easy to get lost if you’re not familiar with the process.
Have a list of questions ready during your consultation so that you’re not hit with any surprises. You should also ask if there are any scenarios where the price may go up. If your stylist starts doing something you didn’t agree on beforehand, don’t be afraid to speak up, so you’re on the same page.
Many stylists have different opinions about whether it’s appropriate to ask for an itemized breakdown of costs. Some agree that price breakdown is a great way to educate clients and to help them while they’re shopping around. Others feel that it’s a bit patronizing to question their prices since it can feel like you’re questioning the quality of their service.
It’s ultimately your choice whether or not you agree with a stylist’s prices and how much information you want to ask about their pricing. Keep in mind what type of information you need from them and how you can use it to make a decision.
If you don’t feel like a stylist is offering a fair price (or if it’s out of your budget), you can respectfully thank them for their time and find someone else who fits your needs and your price range.
How can clients find a great stylist or barber?
Portfolios, reviews, and personal recommendations are the three main ways you can find a great hair professional in your budget. Although price is important to consider, you also need to take into account everything the stylist offers behind their price to see if they’re a fit.
Take a look through our community to find a stylist near you.
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