The beauty industry is evolving rapidly. Post-pandemic recovery, changing consumer preferences, and workforce shifts are reshaping who gets hired and how. Understanding current trends helps you position yourself—whether you're a salon owner building a team or a professional planning your career.
Current Market Overview
The beauty job market in 2024 is characterized by high demand and staffing challenges.
- Industry-wide staffing shortages continue post-pandemic
- Beauty employment rebounded strongly but hasn't filled all gaps
- Salons report difficulty finding qualified candidates
- Competition for talented stylists is intense
- Wages have increased due to talent scarcity
- More professionals choosing booth rental over employment
Roles in High Demand
These positions are seeing the most job postings and competition for talent.
- Colorists: Specialty color skills remain highly sought
- Extension specialists: Growing service category
- Barbers: Men's grooming continues to expand
- Estheticians: Skincare demand accelerating
- Lash technicians: Strong demand for lash services
- Experienced stylists: 3-5+ years most wanted
- Bilingual professionals: Valuable in diverse markets
Pro tip: Specialization pays. Generalists are easier to find; specialists command premium salaries and have more options.
Compensation Trends
How pay structures are evolving in response to market conditions.
- Commission rates increasing to attract/retain talent
- Sign-on bonuses becoming more common
- Education benefits as competitive differentiator
- Health insurance offerings expanding
- Hybrid models (base + commission) gaining popularity
- Booth rental rates relatively stable despite demand
- Tips remain significant portion of total income
Workforce Preferences
What beauty professionals are prioritizing in job decisions.
- Work-life balance: Flexible scheduling highly valued
- Independence: More choosing booth rental over employment
- Culture: Toxic environments driving talent away
- Growth: Education and advancement opportunities matter
- Compensation transparency: Want to know pay before applying
- Benefits: Health insurance increasingly important
- Remote/hybrid: Where possible, flexibility desired
How Salons Are Adapting
Strategies successful salons are using to attract and retain talent.
- Increasing pay and improving commission structures
- Offering more flexible scheduling options
- Investing in education and training programs
- Improving salon culture and management practices
- Adding benefits (health, PTO, education stipends)
- Creating clearer career advancement paths
- Focusing on employer branding and reputation
Technology's Impact on Hiring
How technology is changing recruitment in beauty.
- Online portfolios replacing paper portfolios
- Instagram as de facto showcase for stylists
- Beauty-specific job platforms gaining traction
- Video interviews becoming more common
- Digital applications replacing paper
- Social media presence affecting hiring decisions
- AI tools starting to assist with candidate matching
Regional Market Variations
Hiring trends vary significantly by geography.
- Major metros: Highest pay, most competition, highest cost of living
- Suburban areas: Growing demand as populations shift
- Rural markets: Fewer opportunities but less competition
- Sunbelt cities: Strong growth with migration patterns
- Coastal cities: Premium pay for cost of living
- College towns: Entry-level opportunities, younger clientele
Looking Ahead
Trends likely to shape beauty hiring in coming years.
- Continued staffing challenges as industry grows
- Increasing specialization and niche services
- More movement toward independence and booth rental
- Technology integration in salon operations
- Sustainability becoming hiring factor
- Diversity and inclusion focus in hiring practices
- Wellness integration (hair + skin + wellness)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Staffing shortages mean new graduates have options, and demand is strong. However, success still requires skill, professionalism, and building a client base. The opportunity is there for those who put in the work.
Generally, yes. Competition for talent has pushed compensation up. Commission rates, base pay, and benefits have all improved at many salons. But it varies—some salons haven't adapted and struggle to hire.
Specialization is increasingly valuable. Color specialists, extension experts, and texture specialists command premium pay and have strong demand. You can still offer general services, but having a specialty differentiates you.