How much does a shampooer make?
Answer: A typical shampooer in the United States makes $32,600 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 8,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Shampooer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $23,110 | $32,600 | $38,240 | about 8,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $37,070 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $34,900 | about 500 |
| New Jersey | $33,180 | about 690 |
| Florida | $28,550 | about 550 |
| Georgia | $27,560 | about 690 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and useful skills, any state-required license, and the salon or employer and location can all affect pay. The hours worked and tips can also change a shampooer’s total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a shampooer do?
Shampoo and rinse customers’ hair.
What's a typical day like?
They shampoo, condition, massage, and rinse clients’ hair, sometimes rinsing out color or perm products for a stylist. Between clients, they fold towels, restock supplies, and sweep hair from the salon floor.
How to get this job
BLS lists no formal education credential or related experience, and only short-term on-the-job training. Rules vary: Nevada requires shampoo technologists to register and work under a licensed cosmetologist or hair designer.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and helping and teaching.
Did you know?
Some shampooers may use infrared lamps or vibrating devices while treating scalp problems or hair loss—so their tools go beyond shampoo and towels.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Personal Care and Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-5093.00
- www.nvcosmo.com/salon-rules-regulations
- www.aboc.alabama.gov/license/license-types/shampoo-assistant
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY