What Does a Salon Manager Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a salon manager do?

First-line supervisors of personal service workers manage salons, spas and other personal service businesses, overseeing staff, schedules, sales and quality. The median pay is $48,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–5 years of salon experience, and employment is projected to grow +6.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$48,590
$23.36/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.3%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
12,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
2–5 years of salon experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
122,500
Employment, 2025

What salon managers do

Salon and spa managers keep beauty businesses thriving. They hire and train stylists, schedule staff, manage the front desk, track sales and retail, handle client concerns, order products, run promotions and maintain sanitation standards.

Most managers are experienced stylists or estheticians who move into management; some have business training. Strong leadership and sales skills help managers grow into multi-location or ownership roles.

Typical duties

Hire, train and schedule staff
Manage client experience and complaints
Track sales and retail goals
Order products and manage inventory
Run promotions and marketing
Maintain sanitation and licensing compliance
Coach staff on rebooking and retail

Work environment and schedule

Managers work in salons and spas, moving between the front desk, stations and office.

Schedule: Managers often work evenings and weekends when salons are busiest.

A day in the life

8:30 AMReview bookings and staffing for the day.
9:00 AMLead a quick team huddle on goals.
10:00 AMTrain the front desk on the booking system.
12:00 PMHandle a client complaint about a color service.

See a full day in the life of a salon manager →

Salon Manager salary

Half of salon managers earned more than $48,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,010 for the lowest 10% to $75,330 for the top 10%.

$34,01010th$48,590Median$75,33090th

Full salon manager pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a salon manager

Work in a salon
Take on leadership
Learn business basics
Become a manager
Advance

A high school diploma plus salon experience is typical; many managers are licensed cosmetologists or estheticians.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a salon manager →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Salon operations
Scheduling software
Retail sales
Inventory management
Staff training

People skills

Leadership
Customer service
Communication
Problem solving

All salon manager skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Leadership in the beauty industry
Mix of creativity and business
Path to ownership
Team environment

Cons

Staff turnover
Weekend work
Sales pressure
Client complaints

Certifications and licenses

Cosmetology or esthetics license: Common for salon managers.
Salon management training: Industry business courses.
Retail sales training: Product sales skills.
Small business courses: Helpful for future owners.

Career path

Stylist or Esthetician: Serve clients.
Lead or Assistant Manager: Support operations.
Salon Manager: Run a salon.
Regional Manager or Owner: Lead multiple salons or own one.

Learn the job before day one

Our Salon Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as improve client rebooking and handle a service complaint, safety and how to land your first job.

View Salon Manager training Is this career right for me?

Cosmetologist

Cut, color and style hair and help clients look and feel their best.

$35,790
9–18 months

Barber

Cut hair, shape beards and keep clients sharp.

$38,210
9–15 months

Retail Store Manager

Lead retail teams and run stores that hit their sales goals.

$48,520
2–5 years of retail experience

Restaurant Manager

Run restaurants: guests, staff, food quality, safety and profits.

$69,390
2–5 years of restaurant experience

Compare: Salon Manager vs. Cosmetologist · Salon Manager vs. Barber · Salon Manager vs. Retail Store Manager · Salon Manager vs. Restaurant Manager

Salon Manager FAQ

Do salon managers need a license?

Often, though not always.

What’s the path to ownership?

Management experience, business skills and savings.

Do managers still do services?

Many do part-time.

How much does a salon manager make?

The median annual wage for salon managers was $48,590 ($23.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,010 and the highest 10% earned more than $75,330.

How long does it take to become a salon manager?

Most people need about 2–5 years of salon experience of training. A high school diploma plus salon experience is typical; many managers are licensed cosmetologists or estheticians.

Do you need a degree to be a salon manager?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 39-1022 (First-line supervisors of personal service workers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of personal service workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Salon Manager