Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Shampooers support the personal-care and grooming industry by focusing on client hair care services within salons and similar settings. This role centers heavily on interacting with customers and providing a positive, comfortable experience, so strong customer service and interpersonal abilities are central to success. Nationally, there are about 18,000 shampooers, indicating a defined niche within the broader service sector. The occupation is projected to grow by 5.5%, with an estimated 3,000 annual openings, suggesting a steady flow of opportunities for new entrants and those changing careers. Typical entry does not require a formal educational credential, making this role accessible to people who want to enter the workforce quickly. Key skills such as physical strength and stamina, fine motor abilities, speaking and listening, adaptability, and creativity and innovation can help shampooers perform well and build client relationships. This path may appeal to individuals who enjoy hands-on work, direct customer interaction, and a service-focused environment.
Shampooers earn a national median annual salary of $31,470. Actual pay can vary across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York shows a median salary of $37,070, while New Jersey and Maryland offer $33,180 and $34,900 respectively. Texas is close to the national median at $31,200, and Virginia’s median is $28,920. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area stands out with a median salary of $37,620, and the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro reports $36,410. Other highlighted metros, including Chicago–Naperville–Elgin and Lexington Park, also post median salaries above $32,000. These figures show that earnings for shampooers can differ meaningfully by location, with certain states and metros offering higher median pay than the national figure. Individuals considering this career may want to compare local pay levels with their cost of living and personal financial goals.
Shampooers have a national employment level of about 18,000 workers. The occupation is projected to grow by 5.5%, which indicates that overall employment is expected to increase over the projection period. In addition to growth, there are an estimated 3,000 annual openings. These openings reflect a combination of new positions created by growth and positions that become available as people change jobs or leave the workforce. Together, the projected growth rate and the number of annual openings suggest that individuals interested in this occupation can anticipate ongoing hiring activity. States and metros listed with a 5.5% growth rate, such as New York, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, New Jersey, and the highlighted metro areas, align with the national growth projection. For job seekers, this combination of stable projected growth and recurring openings can support both entry into the field and opportunities to move between employers or locations over time.
Location plays a significant role in the career landscape for shampooers. Among states, New York has the highest CareerGPS opportunity score at 65.78, with a median salary of $37,070 and employment of 1,210. Maryland and Texas also show notable employment levels of 500 and 840 respectively, with opportunity scores above 50. Virginia and New Jersey round out the top states, each combining several hundred employed shampooers with mid-range median salaries and opportunity scores from 48.84 to 54.96. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $37,620, and employment of 1,410. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro also shows a relatively high opportunity score of 64.47 with 580 employed. Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, Lexington Park, and Chicago–Naperville–Elgin offer moderate employment and competitive salaries in the low- to mid-$30,000s. These differences illustrate how both pay levels and job concentration vary by region.
The typical education requirement for shampooers is no formal educational credential, making this role accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce without completing a degree or certificate program. Even without a formal credential, employers may value a strong skill set. Important skills for this occupation include customer service and interpersonal abilities, which support positive client experiences. Fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and mechanical skills help with the physical and technical aspects of the work. Speaking and listening skills are key for clear communication with clients and coworkers. Adaptability supports adjusting to different client needs and workplace situations, while leadership can be useful for those who take on added responsibilities. Creativity and innovation may help shampooers stand out in how they approach their work and client interactions. Building these skills can enhance employability and success in this career, even in the absence of formal education requirements.
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