Graduating beauty school feels a little like standing on a cliff with your shears in one hand and your mannequin head in the other. You’ve put in the hours, passed state board, and now you’re licensed. But the big question hits: where do you actually start cutting real people’s hair?
Most new stylists end up with three main options: chain salons, private salons, or booth/suite rental. Each one has its own pros and cons, and what works for one stylist might not work for another. I’ve been lucky enough to work in both a chain salon and a private salon right out of school, so I’ll share what that’s been like for me along the way.
Chain Salons: Speed, Systems, and Repetition
Chain salons are basically the fast-food drive-thru of the hair world. They’re fast, consistent, and there’s always a line of people waiting. The biggest perk here is the walk-in traffic. You won’t sit around for long—you’ll be cutting hair nonstop, which is exactly what you need when you’re fresh out of school.
Chains usually have systems for everything: training programs, corporate education, and built-in marketing. You don’t have to worry about stocking products or getting your name out there because that’s already handled. All you really need to do is show up and cut.
The downside? It can feel repetitive. You’ll probably do a lot of trims, one-length cuts, and clipper work, with not a ton of room for creative services. Pay is usually hourly with some commission or incentives, but it’s not going to be the highest money you’ll ever make. And the pace can be exhausting long-term—it’s all about efficiency and volume.
My take: I currently work at a chain salon that only does haircuts. They pay a base hourly rate, and I can earn incentive pay if I hit certain cut times. Honestly, it’s been a great place to learn speed and consistency. I’ve sharpened my technique and gotten comfortable with a constant flow of clients. But if I stayed here forever, I know I’d eventually burn out.
Private Salons: Mentorship, Creativity, and Client Connection
If chain salons are fast food, private salons are the farm-to-table restaurants—slower pace, more artistry, and more connection. You’ll usually have more freedom to do creative services like balayage, vivids, or specialty cuts. Teams are smaller, so you tend to be closer to your co-workers (for better or worse) and usually have more opportunity to learn directly from experienced stylists. Tips are often better, and clients tend to be more loyal.
The tradeoff? Walk-in traffic isn’t guaranteed. In fact, some private salons don’t take walk-ins at all, which means you’ll have to build your book through referrals and marketing. And pay can look different depending on the salon.
Some pay hourly, which is steady and predictable—perfect when you’re new and still building. Others pay commission, which can mean bigger checks if you’re busy, but it’s stressful if your chair isn’t full yet.
In my case, I also work at a private salon where I’m paid hourly. Every quarter, I sit down with the owner to go over my growth and plan for the future. The goal is to eventually move me to commission when it’s financially comfortable for both of us. I love the flexibility of my schedule here, and I get to take on different kinds of clients and services compared to the chain. The downside is that this salon hasn’t accepted walk-ins for years, so building my own clientele takes more time. The big win, though, is that when I don’t have a client, I get to assist the owner and learn directly from him. That mentorship is the reason I chose to work there, and has been invaluable to my development as a stylist.
Booth or Suite Rental: Freedom and Responsibility
Booth or suite rental is the dream for some stylists—you’re in charge of your schedule, your prices, and your services. You keep all your profits (after rent and expenses), and you get to create your own vibe for your business.
But it’s not for everyone, and it’s usually not where you start right out of school. Rent, insurance, products, décor, marketing—you’re responsible for all of it. And if you don’t already have a steady clientele, your income will be shaky at best. Some stylists thrive on the independence, while others find it isolating.
Personally, booth or suite rental isn’t on my radar right now. I don’t ever want the full responsibility of running a salon with my name on it. I’d much rather grow in a private salon setting, maybe step into a leadership role or even help run a second location someday. That feels like a better fit for me than trying to do it all on my own. I’d much rather focus on the fun part of creating beautiful hair and educating others about hair than the boring paperwork that goes into running a business.
Final Thoughts: Pick a Door and Walk Through
Here’s the truth: your first salon job doesn’t have to be your forever job. Chains are great for building speed and confidence. Private salons let you stretch your creativity and learn from mentors. Booth rental gives you ultimate freedom once you’ve built a clientele and want to run things your way.
I’m grateful I’ve had the chance to experience both chain and private salon life at the same time. It’s given me perspective on what I love, what drains me, and how I want to grow. For now, I’m sharpening my skills at the chain, soaking up mentorship at the private salon, and spreading knowledge about the industry along the way.
The beauty industry has a lot of doors. You just need to pick one and walk through. And if you realize it’s not the right fit? That’s fine—there’s always another door waiting for you. If you want a quick guide on how to spot some “Red Flags” be sure to check out my full post on the topic.
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