How much should you tip a hairstylist?

A hairstylist can provide you with a cut, color or highlights, or style your hair for an event. The national average cost for a hairstylist is $70-$110, but prices can vary greatly depending on the service you receive, where you live, and the salon’s or hairdresser’s reputation. A good rule of thumb is to tip your hairstylist 20 percent of your total bill. In smaller towns, 15 percent may be the norm, but in larger cities 20 percent is generally the baseline. If you frequent a salon where the shampooer, colorist, and hair cutter are all different people, you can divide that 20 percent among those service providers in proportion to the skill level and time required to do their job. Many hairstylists rent a chair from the salon and must pay a monthly rent to the salon owner.