How to become a Shampooer

Official title: Shampooers

Also called: Hair Assistant, Shampoo Assistant, Shampoo Person, Shampoo Technician, Shampooer, Stylist Assistant

Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.

Main tasks

• Massage, shampoo, and condition patron's hair and scalp to clean them and remove excess oil.
• Advise patrons with chronic or potentially contagious scalp conditions to seek medical treatment.
• Treat scalp conditions and hair loss, using specialized lotions, shampoos, or equipment such as infrared lamps or vibrating equipment.

How to become one

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Ways in

• Licence: A licence is required in 15 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $32,600 a year The middle half earn $28,550 to $35,550.
• About 15,400 people work in this job now, and about 16,200 are projected by 2035. (+5.6%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
• Manicurists and Pedicurists
• Skincare Specialists

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Questions people ask

How much does a Shampooer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $32,600 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $28,550 to $35,550.

Is a Shampooer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 15,400 to about 16,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Shampooer?

Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Shampooer?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.