Beauty Salon Industry Statistics: 9,850 Verified Salons’ Data (2024)
When it comes to understanding the beauty salon industry, most reports online present broad, generalized statistics. But in this post, we’re doing something different. We’ve gathered real, verified data from 9,850 beauty salons across the U.S., providing a detailed look into key industry statistics like market size, profitability, customer trends, and more.
This isn’t just another list of industry averages—it’s an in-depth analysis of actual results from beauty salons nationwide. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or salon owner, this post offers actionable insights drawn from real-world data to help guide your decisions.
We’ll dive into the following sub topics:
- Key Industry Stats
- Industry Size & Growth
- 9,850+ Beauty Salon Stats
- Customers Stats
- Latest Industry Trends
Key Beauty Salon Industry Stats
- The US beauty salon market is projected to reach $47.1 billion in 2023, growing at +2.4% CAGR through 2028
- Haircare services account for 45% of the U.S. beauty salon industry size
- There are about 444,000 licensed beauty salons, spas, and barber shops in the U.S. as of 2023
- The average beauty salon in the US made $443,000 in yearly revenue
- The average beauty salon in the US required a startup capital of $1,406,000
- The average beauty salon in the US had a 34.9% operating profit margin
- 45% of American adults regularly visit beauty salons
- The average beauty salon customer visits 4.88 times per year
Beauty Salon Industry Size
The global beauty salon industry is projected to reach $244.5 billion by 2026
The global beauty salon market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing consumer demand for personal grooming and beauty treatments. (Source)
The U.S. beauty salon industry was valued at $47.1 billion in 2023
The beauty salon industry in the U.S. is a substantial and growing market, offering services such as haircuts, skincare, and nail care to millions of consumers. (Source)
The U.S. beauty salon industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.4% through 2028
The U.S. beauty salon industry is forecasted to grow steadily, driven by increased demand for personal care services and a rise in disposable income among consumers. (Source)
Haircare services account for 45% of the U.S. beauty salon industry’s revenue
Haircare services, including haircuts, styling, and coloring, make up the largest segment of the beauty salon industry. Other major segments include skincare services (25%) and nail care services (15%), with the remaining revenue generated from waxing, massage, and other beauty treatments. (Source)
9,850+ Beauty Salons Stats
There are about 444,000 licensed salons, spas, and barber shops in the U.S. as of 2023
This figure includes a variety of establishments, from hair salons to nail care providers, highlighting the large and diverse beauty salon industry in the U.S. (Source)
The average beauty salon made $443,000 in yearly revenue in 2023
While full-service beauty salons earned an average of $443,000 in revenue, other segments within the beauty industry, such as massage and spa businesses, reported higher earnings, with an average revenue of $851,000.
This showcases the range of profitability across different beauty services, with some niches offering significantly greater revenue potential.
This data is based on 9,850 franchised beauty salon financial stats, part of some of the largest franchises in the US. Whilst franchises are somewhat different than independent beauty salons, these metrics serve as a good proxy for all beauty salons, independent and franchised.
| Sub Industry | Revenue (AUV) |
|---|---|
| Full-service beauty salon | $443,000 |
| Weight Loss | $358,000 |
| Waxing | $554,000 |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | $571,000 |
| Massage & Spa | $851,000 |
| Hair salon | $343,000 |
It costs on average $1,406,000 to start a beauty salon in 2023
Starting a full-service beauty salon can be a significant financial investment, with an average cost of $1,406,000.
Comparatively, other beauty services like waxing or nail salons require lower initial investments, averaging $535,500 and $646,000 respectively, while massage and spa businesses demand the highest investment at $1,788,500.
| Sub Industry | Investment (Low) | Investment (High) | Investment (Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service beauty salon | $182,000 | $2,242,000 | $1,406,000 |
| Weight Loss | $45,000 | $1,363,000 | $704,000 |
| Waxing | $62,000 | $1,009,000 | $535,500 |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | $61,000 | $1,231,000 | $646,000 |
| Massage & Spa | $367,000 | $3,210,000 | $1,788,500 |
| Hair salon | $100,000 | $870,000 | $318,000 |
The average beauty salon had a 34.9% operating profit margin in 2023
Full-service beauty salons led the industry with an impressive 34.9% EBITDA, indicating strong profitability.
Other beauty services, such as nail, skin, and eyelash businesses, also performed well, with gross profits as high as 88.9%, although they had lower operating profit margins at 15.2%. Hair salons, while having a high gross profit of 98.1%, saw a more modest EBITDA of 16.3%.
| Sub Industry | Gross margin | EBITDA margin |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service Beauty Salon | n.a. | 34.9% |
| Weight Loss | 72.1% | 21.3% |
| Waxing | 63.0% | 19.4% |
| Other Beauty | 80.3% | 22.4% |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | 88.9% | 15.2% |
| Massage & Spa | 77.0% | 15.6% |
| Hair salon | 98.1% | 16.3% |
Beauty Salons Customers Stats
Customers spend an average of $83 per visit to beauty salons in the U.S.
This highlights the general expenditure on beauty services, ranging from haircuts to skincare treatments. (Source)
The average beauty salon customer visits 4.88 times per year
Most U.S. customers return to beauty salons nearly five times annually for various services, reflecting the demand for regular upkeep and grooming. (Source)
Premium salon services see an average customer spend of $195 per visit
Customers opting for premium services such as advanced treatments and high-end products tend to spend more during each visit. (Source)
About 45% of American adults regularly visit beauty salons
A significant portion of the U.S. population frequents beauty salons for haircuts, skincare, nail services, and other grooming needs, reflecting the ongoing demand for beauty and personal care services. This includes both women and men who seek services on a monthly or annual basis. (Source)
About 71% of women in the U.S. regularly visit beauty salons
This statistic highlights that a significant portion of the female population in the U.S. frequents beauty salons for services such as haircuts, skincare, and other treatments. Regular salon visits are a key part of personal grooming for many women across the country. (Source)
Latest Beauty Salons Industry Trends
65% of consumers prefer eco-friendly, cruelty-free products in salons
Salons are increasingly adopting sustainable practices, such as recycling and energy-efficient systems, to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly beauty services. (Source)
74% of customers expect inclusivity and diversity in beauty salons
Beauty salons are broadening their offerings to cater to a wider range of hair types and skin tones, enhancing their appeal to diverse clientele. (Source)
50% of salon customers prefer salons with online booking systems
Technology is enhancing customer experiences, with many salons adopting online booking and virtual consultation services to meet customer expectations. (Source)
Retail sales account for 28.2% of a salon’s revenue
Haircare products, especially shampoos and styling products, are becoming a significant revenue stream for salons, leading to a rise in retail-focused services. (Source)
70% of customers stay loyal due to personalized beauty experiences
Salons offering personalized treatments and loyalty programs experience higher customer retention, making customization a key trend in the beauty industry. (Source)
The mobile salon market has grown by 10% in recent years
Mobile salons, offering flexible and private services, are gaining popularity as customers seek convenience and personalized at-home beauty treatments. (Source)
