Hairdressing salon manager
Hairdressing salon managers oversee the day-to-day running of a hairdresser’s or barber’s shop and cut and style hair.
Salary range: £18,000 to £30,000
How to become a hairdressing salon manager
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You can complete a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could work your way up to management level after completing an advanced apprenticeship in hairdressing. Another option is to do a creative hair professional advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could move into salon management, after getting 1 or 2 years’ experience as a hairdresser.
Direct application
You may be able to apply directly for management jobs, if you’ve got experience of managing a beauty salon or spa.
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Further information
You can find out more about working in hairdressing through the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- administration skills
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- cutting, styling and colouring customers’ hair
- supervising the salon team
- setting revenue targets for staff
- advising customers about products and specialist treatments
- stock taking and ordering supplies
- managing salon costs and business accounts
- recruiting and training apprentices
- hiring outside services like cleaners
- attending trade fairs to keep up-to-date with the latest products and trends
Working environment
You could work in a salon or at a client’s home.
Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Career path and progression
With training and experience you could branch out to offer related services like beauty or spa therapies.
You could become an area manager for a hairdressing chain or open your own salon.
You could also go into education as a trainer-assessor, teaching hairdressing students.