Hair Color Pricing: How Much to Charge for Each Service

How much do you charge for a balayage? What about a full color? If you hesitate when answering, or if you set your prices by “checking what the salon down the street charges,” you have a problem that directly affects your profitability.

Pricing your coloring services is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. Charge too little and you work for free. Charge too much without justification and you lose clients. The sweet spot exists, but you need to calculate it.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to calculate the real price of each service, see reference tables, and discover how to communicate your rates with confidence. This article is part of our complete guide to building a profitable color salon.

Hair Color Service Pricing Table

These are indicative price ranges for the US market in 2026. Prices vary by city, area, salon level, and products used.

Premium hair color salon with quiet luxury atmosphere and professional workstation

Service	Budget Range	Mid Range	Premium Range	Average Time
Full color (roots)	$45-65	$65-95	$95-130	60-90 min
Full color (roots + ends)	$55-75	$75-110	$110-150	75-105 min
Traditional highlights (foil)	$65-85	$85-125	$125-180	90-120 min
Balayage	$90-120	$120-180	$180-280	120-180 min
Babylights	$95-130	$130-190	$190-280	120-180 min
Gloss/Toner	$30-45	$45-65	$65-85	30-45 min
Color correction	$100-160	$160-280	$280-450	120-300 min
Full bleach-out	$80-110	$110-170	$170-250	90-150 min

According to the Professional Beauty Association, color services at specialized salons are priced 25% to 40% higher than at generalist salons, and clients are willing to pay that difference for consistent results.

Pro tip: These ranges are only guidelines. Your final price depends on your cost formula, not on what others charge. A salon in Manhattan can’t compare with one in a small town.

Pricing by Hair Length

A classic mistake is charging the same for all lengths. The difference in product, time, and effort between a bob and XL-length hair is enormous.

Length	Full Color	Balayage	Extra Product
Short (above shoulders)	Base price	Base price	-
Medium (shoulders to mid-back)	+$15-20	+$20-30	+20-30% product
Long (below mid-back)	+$25-40	+$40-65	+40-60% product
XL (waist or longer)	+$40-60	+$65-100	+60-100% product

The Formula to Calculate Your Price

There’s no magic price. There’s a formula that gives you the minimum price to avoid losing money, and from there, your positioning decides how much you add.

Step 1: Calculate Direct Service Cost

Add everything you spend on product for that service:

Dye/bleach: Grams used x price per gram
Developer: Milliliters used x price per ml
Consumables: Foil, gloves, disposable clips
Extras: Pre/post treatment, heat protectant

Example for a typical balayage:

Product	Amount	Cost
Lightener	80 g	$6.00
30 vol developer	120 ml	$3.00
Toner	60 g	$4.50
10 vol developer	60 ml	$1.50
Foil	15 sheets	$2.00
Gloves + consumables	-	$2.00
Total direct	-	$19.00

Step 2: Calculate Your Cost Per Hour (Fixed Expenses)

Add all your monthly fixed expenses and divide by hours worked:

Monthly fixed expenses: Rent + insurance + marketing + education + tools = $X Monthly hours worked: Days x hours = Y hours Cost per hour: X / Y

If your fixed expenses are $2,000/month and you work 160 hours: $12.50/hour.

Step 3: The Complete Formula

Minimum price = Direct cost + (Hourly cost x Service hours) + Profit per hour x Hours

With the balayage example (2.5 hours):

Direct cost: $19
Fixed cost: $12.50 x 2.5 = $31.25
Desired profit: $40/hour x 2.5 = $100
Minimum price: $150.25 (round to $150)

If you want to earn $55/hour net:

Price: $187.75 (round to $190)

Pro tip: “Desired profit per hour” is your salary. If you want to earn $4,000 net per month and work 160 hours, you need at least $25/hour in profit. But remember—taxes and days without clients exist.

Factors That Justify Premium Pricing

Not all colorists are at the same level, and not all should charge the same. These factors allow you to position above the mid range:

Certified advanced training: Courses from premium brands, specializations in advanced colorimetry, international certifications
Demonstrable portfolio: Professional Instagram with real work, verified reviews, before and after photos
High-end products: Using top professional brands (Wella Koleston, Schwarzkopf IGORA, Redken Shades EQ) justifies a price differential. If you switch suppliers, check shade equivalences between brands to maintain result consistency
Service experience: Personalized consultation, salon ambiance, attention to detail, welcome beverage
Consistent results: Your clients know they’ll leave with the exact tone every time. That has enormous value
Professional formula management: Having each client’s complete history builds trust. Organizing your formulas is an investment in your client’s experience

Professional colorist explaining the color process to a client, conveying value perception

How to Raise Prices Without Losing Clients

Fear of raising prices is one of the most common barriers. But there are ways to do it smoothly:

The 10% Rule

Increases of up to 10% every 6-12 months are manageable for most clients. A $160 balayage going to $176 is an increase that rarely generates resistance if accompanied by perceived improvement.

Communicate in Advance

Give at least 30 days’ notice
Explain briefly: “I’ve invested in advanced training and next-generation products to deliver better results”
Don’t apologize. Raising prices is normal and professional

The “New Service” Method

Instead of raising the balayage price, create a “Premium Balayage” with a color consultation, pre-service treatment, and final toner included. The price is higher but the client perceives more value.

Tiered Pricing by Experience

If you have a team, establish levels: Junior, Senior, Director. Each level has different prices and clients choose based on budget and preference.

Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

Copying competitor prices: Their costs, training, and clientele aren’t yours
Permanent discounts: An eternal discount isn’t a discount—it’s your actual price. And it attracts clients who’ll leave for the next cheaper option
Not charging for complex consultations: If you evaluate processed hair, propose a 2-3 session plan, and calculate formulas, that’s a service
One-size-fits-all pricing: A root touch-up can’t cost the same as a full balayage with toner
Charging below actual cost: Seems obvious, but many colorists do it unknowingly because they haven’t calculated their costs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a professional colorist charge per hour?

In the US, a professional colorist bills between $45 and $100 per hour depending on the city, experience, and salon type. In premium areas of major cities like New York or Los Angeles, rates can exceed $130/hour for colorists with advanced training and an established portfolio.

Should I charge differently by hair length?

Absolutely. The product difference between short hair and XL can be 60-100%, and application time increases significantly. Establish 3-4 price tiers (short, medium, long, XL) for each service.

How do I justify a price increase to my clients?

The best justification is constant improvement: new training, better products, better results. Communicate changes 30 days ahead, be transparent about reasons, and remember that clients who value your work understand that excellence has a cost.

Should prices include product or charge it separately?

The most common and recommended approach is to include product in the price. Charging product separately creates distrust and billing complications. Include product cost in your pricing formula and offer a fixed price per service.

Should I offer service packages or bundles?

Packages work well if calculated correctly. A bundle of 3 maintenance services (gloss + touch-up + gloss) with a 10% discount secures 3 future visits. The key is that the discount doesn’t drop your margin below the minimum. Learn how to retain clients with maintenance programs.

Key Takeaways

Calculate your minimum price with the formula: direct cost + fixed cost/hour + desired profit
Don’t copy prices: Every salon has different costs, training, and positioning
Differentiate by length: Product and time vary enormously
Raise prices strategically: 10% every 6-12 months, with advance notice
Avoid permanent discounts: They attract price clients, not value clients

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