What does a 13445745retail5.94salon4.39hair stylist3.75manager3.22salon manager3.153163617417.2524.2553.35HOURLY187133852025-11-012025-11-302025-10-012025-10-312025-12-05salon manager do?

A salon manager works to make a salon as profitable as possible. This begins by ensuring that the salon has highly trained, professional staff on-site during all hours of operation to provide services. They also establish customer service standards for staff to follow and step in to perform services during busy times. Through careful ordering, they keep supplies and products well-stocked without wasting money on excess inventory. To promote the salon, they may create social media posts, run ads in local publications, hold special events or cross-promote with other local businesses.

13445745retail5.94salon4.39hair stylist3.75manager3.22salon manager3.153163617417.2524.2553.35HOURLY187133852025-11-012025-11-302025-10-012025-10-312025-12-05Salon manager skills and qualifications

Success in salon manager careers requires certain skills and qualifications. Quality candidates will usually possess:

• Organizational skills to track inventory, create schedules and handle other clerical tasks
• Expertise in cutting, coloring, texturizing and styling hair and performing manicures and other services
• Effective oral communication skills to interact with staff and clients
• Interviewing skills to recruit quality candidates for open positions
• Ability to use spreadsheets, customer management software and word processing programs
• Basic knowledge of accounting to track purchasing expenses and work within a budget
• Strong interpersonal skills to handle client complaints and motivate and coach staff
• Adequate written communication skills to develop policies, craft social media posts and perform other writing tasks
• Working knowledge of state and local health and safety standards governing salons

13445745retail5.94salon4.39hair stylist3.75manager3.22salon manager3.153163617417.2524.2553.35HOURLY187133852025-11-012025-11-302025-10-012025-10-312025-12-05Salon manager experience requirements

A salon manager job description should outline experience expectations for candidates. Typically, success in a salon management role requires two to three years of previous work experience as a cosmetologist, hairdresser or manicurist. You may wish to prioritize those who previously worked as shift supervisors at salons due to their previous management experience. Individuals who worked as trainers may also possess valuable skills.

Salon manager education and training requirements

To step in and perform services when needed, salon managers must hold active state-issued cosmetology licenses. Most states require that prospective cosmetologists hold a high school diploma or GED, complete an approved certificate or associate degree program and pass an examination. To maintain a license, cosmetologists typically must complete a minimum number of continuing education training hours each year. Some cosmetology schools offer courses, certificates or degrees in salon management. Candidates who received this additional training may be better positioned to succeed in a salon manager’s role.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the details of this salon manager job description don’t fully reflect your open position, explore the features of some of these related jobs:

• Hair stylist
• Receptionist
• Esthetician
• Cosmetologist

Salon manager job description FAQs

Who does a salon manager report to?

Who a salon manager reports to depends on how the business is organized. In small local chains and standalone salons, the owner is usually the only one above the salon manager. Large chains may have a regional manager who oversees multiple salon managers in a certain geographic area. For salons located inside of spas, hotels, department stores and other businesses, the general manager or assistant general manager will likely serve as the salon manager’s supervisor.

Who reports to the salon manager?

In large salons, shift supervisors or an assistant manager may be a salon manager’s only direct reports. If your business does not have these lower levels of management, then all of the hairdressers, estheticians and nail technicians will usually report directly to the manager. In addition, the manager will supervise the receptionist and any other employees, such as hairdresser aids, shampooists and wig or hair product salespersons.

How is a salon manager different than a salon style director?

The salon manager is responsible for the staff and daily operations of a salon. The style director’s job is to stay up to date on the latest trends and innovations in hairdressing and educate the team of stylists in these techniques. They may also evaluate the work of other stylists and give them tips on how to improve. While the salon manager’s primary duty is to keep the business profitable, the style director’s main task is to ensure that the salon remains competitive by using cutting-edge products and techniques.