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Start a Business · Startup costs

How much does it cost to open a hair salon?

Estimate the all-in cost to open a hair salon. The buildout and stations drive most of it, followed by the lease and enough cash to reach a full chair rotation.

§ 01 Your numbers

Plumbing for wash stations and salon-grade electrical make the buildout the biggest line.
Styling chairs, mirrors, wash units, dryers, color bar, and reception.
Salon license and cosmetology requirements vary by state.
Color, product, and retail stock to open.
Rent, stylists, product, and utilities per month.
Default is the typical range midpoint. Adjust to your own plan.
Enter a number to check whether your plan fits.
Estimated cost
$115,500

Typical range $98,175 – $150,150

  • Space & buildout$45,000
  • Stations & equipment$20,000
  • Lease deposit + first months$12,000
  • Licenses & permits$2,000
  • Initial inventory$5,000
  • POS & booking$1,500
  • Branding & signage$6,000
  • Working-capital buffer$24,000
  • Total$115,500
See next steps →

§ 02 The return

Typical monthly revenue$20,000 - $70,000
Est. monthly profit$5,175
Payback period2.1 yr
Based on revenue of$45,000/mo

Whether you rent chairs or employ stylists changes both the margin and the workload.

§ 03 Effort & commitment

Hands-on
40-60 hrs/week (owner) ~16 weeks to launch

Long client-facing days; a booth-rent model lets the owner step back from the chair sooner.

Where the money goes

Space & buildout$45,000
Stations & equipment$20,000
Lease deposit + first months$12,000
Licenses & permits$2,000
Initial inventory$5,000
POS & booking$1,500
Branding & signage$6,000
Working-capital buffer$24,000

When it pays back

Cumulative cash flow. The line crosses zero the month your cumulative profit has repaid the startup cost.

break-even 2.1 yr

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A full or upscale salon. Finance the buildout and run real payments and payroll.

By the numbers

  • Hair salons often gross $20,000 to $70,000 a month depending on chair count and pricing.
  • Booth rent shifts payroll risk to stylists and steadies the owner's cash flow.
  • Repeat color and cut appointments make revenue predictable.

Sources: IBISWorld: Hair & Nail Salons · U.S. Small Business Administration

How this estimate is calculated

  • The buildout is the largest and most variable cost. Plumbing for wash stations and salon-grade electrical push it well past a normal retail fit-out.
  • Booth rent changes the math. Many salons charge stylists booth rent instead of paying salaries, which lowers your fixed payroll and steadies cash flow.
  • Taking over a former salon with existing plumbing and stations is the fastest way to cut the buildout, often by half.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a hair salon?
Most hair salons open for $50,000 to $150,000, driven by the buildout, stations, and lease. A small studio or a booth-rent model costs less; an upscale build costs more. Use the calculator above to price yours.
Is booth rent cheaper than hiring stylists?
For the owner, often yes. Renting chairs to independent stylists shifts payroll risk to them and gives you predictable rent, though you give up a cut of each stylist's revenue. Many new salons start this way.
How can I open a salon for less?
Take over an existing salon space with plumbing and stations already in place, start with fewer chairs, and use a booth-rent model to keep fixed payroll low while you build a client base.

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