Shampooers
Hairdresser assistants clean the hair of clients, apply hair conditioner and dying treatment in a beauty salon. They apply shampoo, rub scalp and rinse the hair. They may also do scalp treatment, bleaching, tinting, and massaging for their clients. Hairdresser assistants use specialized lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care equipment, according to their client's needs and preferences.
Shampooers hairdresser assistants clean the hair of clients, apply hair conditioner and dying treatment in a beauty salon. They apply shampoo, rub scalp and rinse the hair. They may also do scalp treatment, bleaching, tinting, and massaging for their clients. The role reports a median annual salary of $31,470 in the US and is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.40 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include hair colouring, hair, hair products, work ergonomically, treat scalp conditions.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £24,124 a year for Beauticians and related occupations (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 6222). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Service and sales workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Shampooers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 5. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- Massage, shampoo, and condition patron's hair and scalp to clean them and remove excess oil.
- Advise patrons with chronic or potentially contagious scalp conditions to seek medical treatment.
- Treat scalp conditions and hair loss, using specialized lotions, shampoos, or equipment such as infrared lamps or vibrating equipment.
- Maintain treatment records.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Shampooers do?
Hairdresser assistants clean the hair of clients, apply hair conditioner and dying treatment in a beauty salon. They apply shampoo, rub scalp and rinse the hair. They may also do scalp treatment, bleaching, tinting, and massaging for their clients. Hairdresser assistants use specialized lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care equipment, according to their client's needs and preferences.
How much does Shampooers earn?
The median annual salary for Shampooers in the US is $31,470.
What is the job outlook for Shampooers?
The role is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 18,500 workers.
How do I become a shampooers?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Shampooers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include hair colouring, hair, hair products, work ergonomically, treat scalp conditions, maintain equipment. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Shampooers?
Our AI-durability model gives Shampooers a score of 0.40 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Shampooers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.