How Much to Tip a Hairdresser

15–20%

Tip a hairdresser 15–20% of the service price, before any product purchases. For a cut and color, the tip is on the full service total. Give the shampoo assistant $3–5 separately if they are not your stylist.

Tip$0.00
Total with tip
$0.00

Tipping hairdresser: situation by situation

SituationTypical tip
Haircut15–20%
Color, highlights or balayage20% of the full service
Shampoo or blow-dry assistant$3–5
Salon owner cutting your hair15–20% (owners are tipped now too)
Stylist fixed a bad cut freeTip on what it would have cost

Worth knowing

  • Don't tip on shampoo or products you buy at the counter.
  • If a colorist and a cutter both work on you, split the tip by the share of the work, or tip each 15–20% of their part.
  • Around the holidays, many regulars give the cost of one appointment.

Questions people ask

Do you tip a salon owner?

The old rule was no. Today most people tip an owner-stylist the same 15–20% as anyone else, and most owners accept.

How much do you tip for highlights or color?

15–20% of the full service price, including the color. On a $180 color service, that's $27–36.

Should I tip the person who washes my hair?

Yes, $3–5 in cash if they are an assistant and not your stylist.