What does a hairdresser earn?

Hairdressers cut, colour and style hair – from consultation and care to washing and cutting, colouring, perms and updos. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements, salon size, tips and specialization. As a guide, qualified hairdressers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €2,250–€2,800 gross per month; during apprenticeship typical ranges are around €850–€1,160.

Comic illustration of a hairdresser cutting and styling hair in a salon
Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed

Salary by region (gross/month)

Region
Apprenticeship (gross/month)
Qualified (gross/month)
Baden-Württemberg
740–1.020 €
2.380–2.920 €
Bavaria
730–1.010 €
2.350–2.880 €
Berlin
700–970 €
2.280–2.820 €
Brandenburg
630–880 €
2.020–2.480 €
Bremen
680–940 €
2.220–2.720 €
Hamburg
720–1.000 €
2.420–2.960 €
Hesse
710–990 €
2.340–2.860 €
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
600–850 €
1.950–2.420 €
Lower Saxony
690–960 €
2.260–2.780 €
North Rhine-Westphalia
700–980 €
2.300–2.830 €
Rhineland-Palatinate
670–930 €
2.200–2.700 €
Saarland
660–920 €
2.180–2.680 €
Saxony
620–870 €
2.050–2.520 €
Saxony-Anhalt
590–840 €
1.980–2.450 €
Schleswig-Holstein
675–945 €
2.240–2.750 €
Thuringia
610–860 €
2.030–2.510 €
Germany (average)
670–940 €
2.240–2.760 €

Orientation figures as of 2026 for typical employed work. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, salon, region, experience, tips/commission and specialization and is not a guarantee.

Further training options

Option
Duration
Salary impact
Salon management / branch lead
Experience plus seminar (weeks to months)
often €2,600–€3,200
Specialization in colour, bleaching and balayage
Weeks to several months
often €2,450–€3,050
Barbering / men’s cuts and beard care
Weeks to months
often €2,400–€3,000
Updos and bridal/event styling
Weeks to months
often €2,450–€3,100
Master hairdresser (Friseurmeister)
about 1–2 years
often €2,900–€3,800
Business economist (HwO) or cosmetics/wellness add-on qualification
about 1–3 years
often €3,000–€4,100

Job and everyday work

A hairdresser advises clients on cut, colour and care, carries out treatments at the chair and keeps the salon clean and organised. Everyday work includes appointment planning, product sales, hygiene and seasonal trends and event styles.

  • Greet clients, clarify wishes and advise on cut, colour, care and product choice.
  • Wash, cut, blow-dry and style; carry out colouring, highlights and care rituals professionally.
  • Prepare updos, bridal or event looks and coordinate salon appointments.
  • Clean workstations and tools, follow hygiene rules and reorder materials.
  • Explain and sell care and styling products; maintain client records and follow-up appointments.
  • Keep learning trends and techniques; with leadership duties also handle shift and team planning.

Show hairdresser jobs in the Eifel (8)