Skip to content
Career Change Finder
Personal Care · Usually needs a high school diploma

Shampooers

Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.

Also called: Hair Assistant, Hair Shampoo Assistant, Salon Shampoo Assistant, Scalp Treatment Operator, Scalp Treatment Specialist, Shampoo Assistant

Is this career right for me?

Median pay

$32,600

per year, U.S.

Pay range (10th–90th)

$23,110 – $38,240

People employed

8,070

Holland code

RSC

Realistic · Social · Conventional

Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers

Is this career right for you?

These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.

  1. 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
  2. 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
  3. 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
  4. 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
  5. 5.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
  6. 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
  7. 7.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
  8. 8.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?

The hard parts

  • Long hours on your feet

Shampooers pay by state

Highest-paying states

District of Columbia$38,870
California$37,080
New York$37,070
Maryland$34,900
Massachusetts$34,840

Lowest-paying states

Alabama$21,810
Tennessee$24,160
Michigan$25,960

Annual median pay by state (19 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Shampooers salary in every state →

What shampooers do

  1. 01Massage, shampoo, and condition patron's hair and scalp to clean them and remove excess oil.
  2. 02Advise patrons with chronic or potentially contagious scalp conditions to seek medical treatment.
  3. 03Maintain treatment records.
  4. 04Treat scalp conditions and hair loss, using specialized lotions, shampoos, or equipment such as infrared lamps or vibrating equipment.

Skills that matter most

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Chemistry

Work styles that stand out

  • Cooperation

Education and first steps

Less than a High School Diploma13%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)18%
Post-Secondary Certificate68%
Some College Courses1%

Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.

How people get started

  • Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
  • Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
  • On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.

Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.

Interest fit (Holland code)

Realistic5.53
Investigative1.35
Artistic1.56
Social3.75
Enterprising2.47
Conventional3.37

O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.

Career changes

Change from shampooers

See all jobs for former shampooers →

Change into shampooers

Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).

Jobs similar to shampooers →

Majors that lead here

  • Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General

From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.

Free help near you

You can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Find an American Job CenterFind training programs

Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keep exploring

Sources. O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0): description, tasks, skills, knowledge, work styles, education, interests and work context. Pay and employment: BLS OEWS May 2025 (national and state). Majors: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Data Sources & Licenses