How to price your services (without copying the salon down the street)
Most beauty pros set prices by looking at what others charge. That is a fine check, but a poor starting point, because their costs are not yours. Here is a way to start from your own numbers.
Step 1: Add up what a service costs you
- Products and supplies used on that client.
- Time, including setup, cleanup, and notes, not just the appointment.
- Rent per hour: your monthly booth or suite cost divided by the hours you are actually booked.
- Card fees: usually around 3% of the price.
Step 2: Decide what you want to take home per hour
Pick a number that makes the work worth it. This is before income tax, so remember to set money aside for taxes.
Step 3: Work backward to the price
The formula is: price = (take-home goal x hours + rent per hour x hours + products) / (1 - card fee rate).
| Example: a facial | |
|---|---|
| Take-home goal | $50 per hour |
| Total time | 75 minutes (1.25 hours) |
| Products | $14 |
| Rent | $18 per hour |
| Card fee | 3% |
| Price | ($62.50 + $22.50 + $14) / 0.97 = $102.06, so about $103 |
The price finder does this math for you.
Step 4: Compare with your market, do not copy it
- If your target price is far above local prices, check your costs and look at how you can add value.
- If your target price is below what others charge, you may be undercharging.
Raising prices without losing clients
- Raise prices for new clients first.
- Move in small steps, like 5 to 10 percent.
- Give regulars a few weeks of notice.
- Price add-ons by the extra minutes and products they use.
Setup, cleanup, consults, and notes are part of the service. If you leave them out, your real hourly pay is lower than you think.
This is general education, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and every situation is different. A licensed tax professional can tell you what applies to you.
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