Quick Math - Calculations to Become a 6-Figure Stylist!

Contributed post by Nina Tulio

 

The ultimate goal for many hairstylists is to eventually become a 6-figure stylist.  Meaning, you would bring in $100k + in SERVICE SALES every year behind the chair. I want to give you the calculation to hit 6 figures.  Baby steps to get you to become a six-figure stylist in a year or two. It's all about small wins. You don't have to set these outlandish goals right away. Be realistic. Here we go....

GOAL $100K: Divide $100k by 52 weeks and this = $1,923 A WEEK in service.  Divide that by the # of days you work. If you work a 4-day week you have to bring in $480.75 A DAY in service sales. If you work a 5-day week it's $384.60 A DAY.

 

GOAL $75K: Divide $75k by 52 weeks and this = $1,443 A WEEK in service. Divide that by the number of days you work. 4 days week = $360.75 A DAY; 5 days a week = $288.60 A DAY

 

GOAL $50K: Using the same formula as above you must bring in $962 A WEEK in service.  4-day week = $240.50 A DAY; 5-day week = $192.40 A DAY

 

You then break this down even more and using your average ticket, this will tell you how many clients you need to see a day. I use the $75k and the $50k a year for stylists that are in their first few years behind the chair. On average, it takes a stylist between 3-5 years working AT THE SAME SALON to become a 6-figure stylist. Be sure to track your numbers by hand every day, be consistent in your marketing, social media, and give your clients a 5-star experience every, single, time. CONSISTENCY is key!  YOU CAN SO DO THIS! Depending on your average sale, you really only need 3-4 clients a day.

 

*These figures do not include your expenses. These figures show gross revenue of six figures before taxes and expenses.
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Additional thoughts from Rock Paper Shears:

 

Shear Math: Why Your Tools Matter

You can’t hit a 6-figure goal with $20 tools from the beauty supply aisle, but you also don’t need to spend $1,000 just to look the part.

 

Think of your shears like a calculator: the sharper, faster, and more accurate they are, the easier your math becomes. Dull, clunky, or poorly balanced shears don’t just slow you down, they sabotage the quality of your work. Each extra snip or uneven layer adds seconds. Those seconds turn into minutes. Those minutes become fewer clients served per day.

Let’s say you average $60 per appointment. If low-quality shears make you lose just two appointments per week (from redos, slowdowns, or client churn), that’s nearly $6,000 a year in lost income. Suddenly, the right tools aren’t just about performance, they’re about profit.

 

But don’t confuse “quality” with “overpriced.” A lot of stylists get roped into financing expensive name-brand shears with hidden sharpening fees and long-term contracts. That’s not an investment, that’s overhead.

 

Rock Paper Shears exists to give stylists premium tools without the markup and fine print, so your income actually stays yours. Check out "The Shear Math of It" for more:

👉Subscription vs. Buying Your Own Shears

Retaining Clients = Predictable Income

Even with solid weekly math, there's one variable that can break your whole equation: client retention.

 

New clients are great, but returning clients are how you build real, predictable income. They fill your books, refer their friends, and increase their spend over time. In fact, research shows that increasing client retention by just 5% can increase profits by 25% or more.  So how do you keep people coming back?

  • Consistency builds trust : Always deliver a high-standard experience, not just a good haircut.
  • Make rebooking easy: Don’t wait for them to remember. Offer their next appointment before they leave.
  • Follow up after first visits: A quick “thank you” or check-in message goes a long way.
  • Keep their info handy: Notes about their preferences, style goals, or past services show you care.
  • Deliver value beyond the chair: Teach them how to style at home, recommend products that actually work, and be their go-to beauty expert.

To dive deeper into practical strategies and scripts, check out our full post:

👉 Top Tips for Retaining Your Clients

FAQs: Six-Figure Stylist Questions

Q: What exactly counts toward “service sales”?

A: Only money earned from services performed behind the chair: like haircuts, coloring, blowouts, and treatments. Product or retail commissions are usually tracked separately.

Q: How do I raise my prices without losing clients?

A: Timing and communication are everything. Give advanced notice, explain the value behind your pricing, and frame it as part of your growth as a stylist. Many loyal clients will support your success, and new ones will see your pricing as a reflection of your skill.

Q: What if I don’t have a big clientele yet?

A: Focus on retention and rebooking, not just volume. It’s better to have 40 loyal clients who visit every 6–8 weeks than 100 one-time walk-ins.

Q: Do I need expensive tools to be seen as professional?

A: Not at all. You need sharp, balanced, reliable shears that support your craft, not overpriced brand-name status symbols that likely mean nothing to your clients. Performance and quality matter more than the logo.

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