Tipping at Hair Salons and Spas — How Much Is Right?

7 min read · Updated February 14, 2026

The Standard: 15-20% for Most Salon Services

Walk into any hair salon or spa in the United States, and tipping is expected. That is the reality. The standard range is 15-20% of the service price, and most clients land right around 20%. If your stylist did a solid, competent job, 20% is the norm. If the experience was truly exceptional — they nailed a complicated color correction, or they squeezed you in for a last-minute appointment — going above 20% is a generous and appreciated gesture.

Here is the breakdown by service quality:

• Below expectations: 10-15%. If something went noticeably wrong but was eventually fixed, this signals dissatisfaction without stiffing someone who still spent time on you.
• Good, solid service: 18-20%. This is the sweet spot for a routine appointment that went well.
• Exceptional service: 20-25% or more. Your stylist went above and beyond, gave you exactly what you wanted, or spent extra time consulting on a new look.

If the service was genuinely bad — your hair was damaged, they ignored your requests — you are not obligated to tip at all. But it is worth speaking to the salon manager first, because most reputable salons will try to make it right.

Tipping Different People in the Salon

Modern salons often involve multiple people touching your hair in a single visit. Here is who expects what.

Your Stylist or Hairdresser

This is the main event. Tip 15-20% of the total service cost directly to your stylist. If you paid $150 for a cut and color, a $30 tip (20%) is standard.

The Colorist

In high-end salons, the person who cuts your hair and the person who colors it may be different people. If that is the case, you tip each one separately based on the cost of their individual service. Ask the front desk to break down the charges if it is not clear on the receipt.

The Shampoo Person or Assistant

This is where it gets a little tricky. If someone other than your stylist washes and conditions your hair, a small cash tip of $3-5 is customary. Some clients tip more if the shampoo included a scalp massage or extra conditioning treatment. This person is almost always paid less than the stylists, so a few dollars goes a long way.

The Blow-Dry Specialist

Some salons have dedicated blow-dry bars or specialists. Tip them the same 15-20% you would tip any stylist, based on the cost of the blowout.

Spa Services: Massage, Facials, and Nails

Spas follow similar tipping rules, but there are a few nuances worth knowing.

Massage Therapists

Tip 18-20% for a massage. A 60-minute massage at $120 means a $24 tip is appropriate. If the therapist customized pressure, addressed specific problem areas you mentioned, or provided an especially relaxing experience, lean toward 20% or higher.

One thing to know: some medical massage settings and physical therapy offices do not expect tips. If the massage is billed through insurance, tipping is generally not expected. When in doubt, ask the front desk.

Nail Technicians

For manicures and pedicures, 18-20% is standard. For a $45 pedicure, that is $8-9. If you got intricate nail art or a gel set that required extra time and skill, tip on the higher end.

Nail salons are one area where fair tipping truly matters. Many nail technicians work long hours for modest base pay, and tips make up a significant portion of their income.

Facials and Skin Treatments

Same rule: 18-20% of the service cost. Estheticians are skilled professionals, and their tips should reflect that. For a $100 facial, $18-20 is right.

Spa Packages

If you booked a spa package that includes multiple services (say, a massage, facial, and manicure), tip on the total package price and ask the front desk to distribute it, or tip each provider individually as you move between services. Individual tipping is more personal, and it ensures each person gets their fair share rather than hoping management divides it correctly.

The Big Question: Do You Tip the Salon Owner?

This is one of the most persistent questions in salon tipping etiquette, and the answer has changed over the years.

The old rule was that you never tip the salon owner. The reasoning was that the owner sets the prices and presumably builds their profit into those prices, so a tip was considered unnecessary or even awkward.

The modern reality is different. Most salon owners today expect and accept tips, especially if they are still behind the chair doing services. The no-tip-for-owners tradition has largely faded. Unless the owner explicitly tells you not to tip (some still do), go ahead and tip them the same 15-20% you would tip any stylist.

If you are unsure whether your stylist is also the owner, just tip. Nobody has ever been offended by receiving a tip.

Holiday Tipping for Your Regular Stylist

If you see the same stylist regularly — say, every 4-8 weeks — holiday tipping is a strong tradition. During the December holiday season, many clients give their stylist an extra tip equivalent to the cost of one regular session.

So if your usual cut and color is $120, a holiday tip of $100-120 (on top of the regular tip for that visit) is a common and generous gesture. This is not mandatory, but if you have a stylist who consistently makes you look and feel great, it is a meaningful way to show appreciation.

Other thoughtful holiday tipping approaches:

• A generous gift card to a restaurant or store they would enjoy
• A larger-than-usual cash tip if the full session cost feels like too much
• A heartfelt note along with whatever amount works for your budget

The key is that any holiday gesture is appreciated. Do not stress about hitting an exact number.

Cash vs. Card Tips

Cash is almost always preferred by salon and spa workers. Tips added to a credit card sometimes get taxed differently, may be distributed on a delayed schedule, or in some cases, a small processing fee is deducted. Cash goes directly into the stylist's pocket that day.

That said, if you do not carry cash, tipping on the card is absolutely fine and far better than not tipping at all. Many salons also accept tips through Venmo or other payment apps — just ask.

When to Reconsider Your Tip

There are a few situations where you might reasonably adjust:

• A service that took significantly longer than quoted because the stylist was chatting or disorganized (not because your hair required more work) — you are still paying for their time, but 15% might feel more appropriate than 20%.
• A result you are unhappy with — speak up before you leave. Most stylists want to fix it. If they correct it gracefully, tip normally. If they dismiss your concerns, adjust accordingly.
• Being upsold aggressively on products — this should not affect the tip for the service itself, but you are never obligated to buy products.

Quick Reference

Figure Out Your Tip Quickly

Not sure what 20% of your salon bill comes to? Use our tip calculator to get the number in seconds — no math, no guesswork. Just plug in your total and go.

For more tipping guidance, check out our guides on restaurant tipping and tipping on takeout for other everyday scenarios.