Chair Rental vs. Hourly: Which Method of Income Is Right For You? September 6, 2022

The demand for beauty professionals is projected to increase by 19% from 2020 to 2030. As a new graduate, you probably don’t know where to start building your career. The first and most important step in entering the world of hairdressing is to figure out which method of income is suitable for you. 

There are several possibilities for salon commission income ranging from rental to hourly. Keep reading to learn more about post-graduation: chair rental vs. hourly pay. 

Chair Rental Pros & Cons

There are many benefits to a chair or booth rental at a salon. While you won’t have as much control as you would if you had your own business, it is the next best thing. 

There are many pros to salon booth rental, but there are also some cons. The pros include:

• More time to focus on your work
• Get more clients and make more money.
• Have the freedom to work when it works best for you
• Save money by not buying products that you don’t need
• You get to work in a professional environment with other hairstylists
• You can choose your own hours and work when you want to
• You don’t need to worry about the cost or location of salon space
• You can experiment with different styles without the pressure of having to make a sale

Cons:

• You have to pay a monthly fee for renting a chair at the salon
• Have to follow the salon’s rules and guidelines
• The salon may not have enough clients for you to make money
• You have to figure out your own taxes
• You’ll need licenses to provide services 

Salon Commission Income Pros & Cons

Salon commission income is a lucrative source of income for hairstylists. Commissions are one of the most common forms of income for hairstylists. The pros:

• Income is usually fairly consistent
• You may have the freedom to set your own hours
• Guaranteed minimum wage pay even if you don’t have any clients
• Company benefits, such as 401K, insurance, paid time off, and holiday pay
• In-house education either formally or from an experienced beauty professional 
• Support from a team of professionals 

Cons:

• Some salons require you to buy a certain amount of product every month 
• The salon sets the prices for services and you can’t change that
• You must use the products the salon determines and/or sells 
• If the salon has schedules, you have to work when they say 

Read More About Post-Graduation: Chair Rental vs. Hourly 

Now that you understand your options when deciding how to generate income, you can better decide your future. This article covered post-graduation: chair rental vs. hourly income options. We hope you have a better understanding and are ready to tackle your new career! 

At The Salon Professional Academy, Colorado Springs, we support beauty professionals at all stages. If you are interested in learning more, book a tour with us today.