Personal care and service
Shampooer
Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.
Median pay
$32,600
Growth to 2035
+6%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
2,200
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Shampooer
$32,60010% earn under $23,110 · middle half $28,550–$35,550 · top 10% over $38,240
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Shampooer
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Shampooer: 24% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Hair Assistant · Shampoo Assistant · Shampoo Person · Shampoo Technician · Shampooer · Stylist Assistant
Outlook and AI
Shampooers held 15,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 16,200 by 2035 (+6%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Shampooer vs. Skincare specialist
- Shampooer vs. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Shampooer vs. Massage therapist
- Shampooer vs. Barber
- Shampooer vs. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Shampooer vs. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Shampooer vs. Physical therapist aide
- Shampooer vs. Home health and personal care aides
- Shampooer vs. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Shampooer vs. Nursing assistant