Can a Hair stylist make more money than a Doctor or Lawyer?

Question

I just answered a question for someone on this site, asking about being a hairstylist and the pay. But I never really thought about really successful hair stylists out there. I have a stylist who has really made a name for herself and she is only 22 years old. She works in NY and she is a booth renter. She only gives the salon about $200 a week and the rest of the profit is hers. She does high end services like Weaves that runs from $120-$300, Fusion that goes from $400-$5000, eyelash extensions that like $300-$600 and other expensive services, so I know on a full schedule she bring in a few thousands a day by just doing HAIR!! At 22 years old.. how much is she bringing home a year and is it possible for a Hair Stylist to make over six figures a year?

Answer 1

depends on where you are working, how much your skills can command per hour/per type of job,etc. very few people probably make more than 30,000 a year - very few people can afford to pay $100's or $1000's for hair styling - NYC, BEverly Hills and LA are the only places where that is even remotely possible and a very small percentage of workers will benefit from those markets

Answer 2

I think it would be very easy for a Hair Stylist to make six figures, if they're really good with people, and decent with hair.

Look, a six figure income only takes $50 per hour, if you can do that 40 hours per week 50 weeks per year.  If you can get $50 for a set that takes an hour, but you can keep two chairs full at once, you can do right well.

Lawyers even in small towns can charge $100 per hour, but lawyers also have to pay paralegals, rent, malpractice insurance, and license fees, and there's a lot of marketing involved, not to mention dry cleaning of suits so clients take us seriously. Also, hair stylists will see their clients on a regular basis, most at least once a month.  Once a lawyer has finished a matter, most people never want to see any lawyer ever again, even if they got a good result.

And that's not to mention that lawyers don't get "tips", and cannot take the risk of being paid occassionally in cash.

Then there's also the fact that lawyers are often expected to work for free.  Ever hear of a hair stylist taking on a case Pro Bono? Or on a Contingency? Do people tend to call on the phone and ask hairstylists for do-it-yourself tips?

All in all, while I like being a lawyer more than I'd enjoy doing hair, I think that many hairstylists could make more than most lawyers.  

Answer 3

maybe... like one in a million

Answer 4

Of course, if you live in an area where you can charge $5000 for hair services and $300 for eyelashes, then why couldn't you. But you must take into account that New York is a very different environment from anywhere else in the United States.

Not to mention that successful beauticians must build up a client base to make that kind of money- most people are picky and/or loyal about who they let perform services to them.

If you love doing it and you can survive in for while until you build up clients, you should do it.