How much money do you need to start a salon?
Christopher Davis
Updated on February 25, 2026
The cost of opening your own salon is around $62,000 for a basic setup, but it can go up to $500,000 or even more. No matter how much you invest in your new business, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure your salon’s success.
How much does it cost to run a salon monthly?
Professional products such as shampoo and conditioner are also hair salon monthly expenses. They usually range between $100 and $600 per month, but most people spend on average $300 per month on professional products.
Is hair salon a profitable business?
Is owning a hair salon profitable? The average salon makes $19,100 in profit every year. The average salon profit margin is 8.2% which is above the general business average of 7.7% and is improving year on year. Salon profit margin ranges from 2% to 17% depending on how well the salon is managed.
What qualifications do you need to be a salon owner?
Education. You’ll need a cosmetology license to become a salon owner, which will mean getting a qualification from a certified cosmetology school. If you’re thinking of owning a spa, an esthetics or a cosmetology license will be useful.
How much does it cost to open a hair salon?
If you plan on purchasing a space, the costs will rise significantly. Expect to set aside $40,000 to $250,000 to purchase an existing salon (dependent on location, size, and condition of the property and equipment). Bump that up to $100,000 to $500,000 on average to build a salon from the ground up.
What are the requirements to open a salon?
Tackle legal requirements. Numerous permits are required before opening a salon. Fantetti says this includes a business operation license, a certificate of occupancy, a license to sell retail, a building permit, a fire department permit and a state cosmetology license.
How do I start a salon business?
Getting Your Business off the Ground Get some experience working in a salon. Decide what sort of salon you want to open. Obtain all necessary licenses. Build up your capital. Estimate your total startup costs. Establish your business legally.
How often should you be going to the Salon?
However, if you prefer to eat out rather than cook and you are not particularly active, you can survive by going to the salon only once every two weeks. In fact, if you are handy with the nail polish, you could even go once every 3 or 4 weeks.