7 benefits of working in a salon as a hair and beauty pro

 There are lots of different ways to work in the hair and beauty industry, and one of them is working in a salon. This can be great for your career and can help you find the right clients that you love working on. It can also be less stressful than being mobile, freelance or a salon owner.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of working in a salon as a hair and beauty pro.

What are the options for working in a salon?

You might think that working in a salon is a one-size-fits-all situation. You’re employed and that’s that, but there are actually a few different options when it comes to working in a salon as a hair and beauty professional.

Being employed in a salon

Being employed by a salon as a staff member is a traditional and straightforward arrangement. As an employee, you typically receive a salary or hourly wage, and the salon takes care of taxes, benefits and other administrative responsibilities. This structure provides stability in income and paid time off.

Things like uniforms, products and training are usually also provided for you. However, the pay can be lower than other options, and you’re not as in control of when, where and how you work. Many people start out their career being employed in a salon, often doing an apprenticeship or training course.

Commission based arrangement

In a commission-based arrangement, a salon professional earns a percentage of the revenue generated from the services they provide. The commission rate can vary depending on factors such as experience, seniority and the salon's policies. This setup means you can grow your income based on the clients and services you offer.

However, this can also mean that in slower months, or where you have time off, your income suffers as a result. This can make it tricky to get your work-life balance right.

Renting a chair or booth

Many salons offer chair or booth rental, where a professional rents a space in the salon. This usually means you’re self employed rather than employed. It can be a fixed fee or a percentage when you’re working in the salon. 

It can make marketing easier and it’s considerably cheaper than owning your own salon, but being self employed can come with its own challenges. There can also be conflict between the way you want to work as someone who’s self-employed and the rules of the salon.

Hybrid models

Some salons might offer hybrid models that combine elements of employment and booth rental. For example, a stylist might work as an employee for certain hours/days and rent a chair during other times. This flexibility allows professionals to balance the security of a stable income with the independence of managing their business.

It can get a bit confusing but as long as you’re organised, and you have built up trust with the business owner, you should be able to manage.

Benefits of working in a salon

Let’s focus on actually being employed in a salon. Working in a salon as a hair and beauty professional has a unique set of benefits for people that are looking to work in a more structured, and shared, way. Here are the advantages of choosing a career in a salon setting.

Built-in clients

Salons often have an established client base, meaning that they have a regular flow of customers. This means you don’t have to do as much marketing yourself, as the salon does this for you. However, it does make sense to do some marketing too to make sure you - and the salon - stays booked and busy. Client referrals can also be more common in a salon setting.

Team collaboration

Teamwork is a huge part of working in a salon, in a collaborative atmosphere where professionals can share ideas, techniques and trends with colleagues. There’s lots to learn from other people in the industry, and in a salon you’re often around experienced professionals who are happy to share their knowledge. It can also be motivating and supportive to work with others as part of a team, plus it makes networking easier.

Professional development opportunities

Many salons invest in the ongoing education and training of their staff. This can involve workshops, events and classes to keep updated on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty industry. You’ll also have connections with suppliers and brands who offer training and skills building too. This can be especially important at the beginning of your career.

Stability and predictable income

Working in a salon often provides a stable and predictable income. Unlike freelancers who may experience fluctuations in business, salon professionals typically receive a steady flow of clients and a regular paycheck. You might not earn as much as someone self-employed or freelance, but it’s often a lot more straightforward.

Access to salon amenities

In a salon you’ll often have access to equipment, products, and amenities that might be expensive if you were having to buy them outright. This is great for training and means that you can offer better results for your clients. The resources and infrastructure to carry out treatments and services are all provided for you. Things like insurance are also usually provided by the salon owners.

Employee benefits

Being employed means that you usually get benefits like sick pay, paid holidays and the opportunity to pay into a pension. These can help you with work-life balance, overall satisfaction and wellbeing. There might also be other employee benefits provided too. If you’re self-employed, you have to work all of the above out for yourself.

Work-life balance

Working in a salon often comes with more structured working hours, meaning you can maintain a better work-life balance compared to the potentially unpredictable schedule of freelancers or mobile practitioners. It also means that often when you’re at work, you don’t need to be thinking about it. For example, you don’t need to be thinking about finances or marketing yourself out of hours.

Disadvantages of working in a salon

One of the main disadvantages of working in a salon is the earnings. If you’re self-employed, your earnings are directly linked to the clients you work on and services you offer. Prices are usually set by the salon, as is your salary or hourly rate. You don’t receive the full profit—although even if you’re self-employed you’d have costs to pay for from what you earn.

Your working hours are also set by the salon owner, meaning that there’s less flexibility for you in your working day. This might be totally fine for some salon professionals, and it might be exactly what they’re looking for, but for others they might find it a bit more restrictive.

You can also usually only use products and treatments that the salon offers. This means that if you have a product you love from a different brand, it might be trickier to convince the salon to use it. They might be in a contract with the brand. It also means that you can only retail what the salon has available.

How to get a salon job

If a salon job sounds like it’s for you, there are some steps that you can take to move into being employed by a salon.

The first thing is to make sure you’re trained or undertaking training (such as an apprenticeship) that will allow you to work in a salon. Some bigger salons will have their own training that you can undertake. Building a portfolio of treatments, you’ve carried out is also a great idea, and you’ll be encouraged to do this as part of your training too.

Writing up your CV and cover letter is important too as most employers will ask to see this before they interview you. Tailor both for every salon job you apply for or enquire about to show how serious you are about the role.

Research salons in your area to identify those aligned with your values and aesthetic. Understand their clientele, services offered, and overall atmosphere. This information will be valuable during the application and interview process. You can then look for jobs advertised online, in person or just drop your CV in speculatively.

Attend industry events, trade shows and networking functions to meet salon owners, managers, and fellow professionals. Establishing connections within the industry can open doors and make you aware of job opportunities too, especially if you’re looking to start your career outside of your local area.

Be ready to discuss your experience, education, and passion for the industry during interviews. Practise common interview questions and highlight your skills. You may be asked to carry out a trial treatment to showcase your skills, so be ready to do this as part of your interview.

Specialist hair and beauty insurance through Ripe

Whether you’re a mobile or freelance beauty professional, insuring your business can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

Ripe specialist hair and beauty insurance includes Public and Products Liability cover as well as treatment risk cover, with the opportunity to build your own policy so you’re never paying for more than you need.

Find out more about specialist hair and beauty insurance through Ripe or get a quick online quote today.