How Much Can You Earn as a Qualified Hair Extension Professional in the UK?

Danielle Mcstravick

So, How Much Can You Really Earn as a Qualified Hair Extension Professional in the UK?

Dreaming of a career where you can work have flexibility, work in a secure industry and boost confidence, all while earning a fantastic income? Becoming a qualified hair extension professional in the UK could be your calling! It's a booming industry, and with the right skills and a good business head, your earning potential can be seriously impressive.

Let's cut to the chase: there's no one-size-fits-all answer, as your income can vary based on a few key factors. But we can give you a realistic idea of what's possible, breaking down daily, weekly, and monthly earnings for both employed and self-employed roles.

Employed vs. Self-Employed: A Clear Comparison

The biggest factor in your earning power will likely be whether you work for a salon or become your own boss.

Employed Hair Extension Professional:

If you're working for a salon, your income is typically more stable, often with a base salary plus commission and tips.

  • Annual: As a beginner, you might start around £26,000 - £29,000. With experience, a senior stylist specialising in hair extensions could earn £35,000 - £40,000+.

  • Monthly: This usually translates to around £2,160 - £2,400 for beginners, potentially rising to £2,900 - £3,300+ for experienced professionals.

  • Weekly: Expect to see roughly £500 - £570 per week as you start, increasing to £670 - £770+ as you build your expertise.

  • Daily: Based on a 5-day week, this could be around £100 - £115 per day for a beginner, and £135 - £155+ for experienced stylists.

    Benefits: Steady income, paid holidays, potential for sick pay, and usually no need to worry about sourcing clients or managing your own taxes.

Self-Employed Hair Extension Professional:

This is where you have the most control over your earnings, but also take on more responsibility. You'll set your own prices, manage your schedule, and handle your business expenses and taxes.

  • Annual: Newly qualified self-employed hair extensionists often start earning around £36,000 - £45,000 per year. With experience and a strong client base, that figure can easily climb to £50,000 - £70,000+. Some top professionals, especially those offering premium services or even training, report earning upwards of £100,000 per year!

  • Monthly: This can range from £3,000 - £3,750 for those starting out, to £4,200 - £5,800+ for established experts.

  • Weekly: You could be looking at £700 - £870 per week as a beginner, potentially reaching £960 - £1,350+ per week for experienced professionals. Some highly successful individuals have reported earnings in excess of £2,000 per week.

  • Daily: If you're charging, say, £250-£350 for a full head of hair extensions (with hair costs around £120-£150, leaving a profit of £130-£200 per client), just 2-3 clients a day, 3-4 days a week, can quickly add up. For example, 2 clients a day at £150 profit each would be £300 per day in gross profit. Even with just 3-5 clients a week, you could earn £510 - £850 in profit per week!

    Considerations: While the earning potential is higher, you'll need to factor in costs like insurance, supplies, marketing, travel, and crucially, setting aside money for tax and National Insurance.

What Influences Your Earning Power?

  • Your Training and Expertise: The more comprehensive your training (think advanced courses in various hair extension methods like micro-bead, tape-in, and weave-in), the more services you can offer and the higher you can price them. Quality training, like that offered by Danielle Alexandra, is an investment in your future earning potential.
  • Location: Prices in major cities like London will naturally be higher than in smaller towns due to higher overheads and client demand.
  • Your Brand and Marketing: A strong online presence, a stellar portfolio, and great client testimonials are crucial for attracting and retaining clients.
  • Clientele and Specialisation: Do you want to be known for luxury hair extensions for special occasions, or do you cater to everyday volume and length? Specialising can help you become the go-to expert.
  • Efficiency and Speed: The faster you can complete a high-quality application, the more clients you can see in a day, directly impacting your income.
  • Add-on Services: Offering aftercare products, removal services, and maintenance appointments can significantly increase your average client spend.

Ready to Boost Your Income with Hair Extensions?

Get qualified as a hair extension professional on one of our courses and start your journey to having incredible flexibility and earning potential. It's not just about doing hair; it's about building a thriving business where your skills directly translate into a fantastic income. If you're passionate about hair and ready to take control of your financial future, investing in a Fully Accredited hair extension course is the first, most important step.  

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