Salon Pricing Guide: How Much to Charge for Haircuts, Color, and More in Texas

One of the toughest decisions you'll make as a salon owner or stylist is setting prices. Charge too little and you'll be slammed with work but broke. Charge too much and you'll have empty chairs and frustrated clients. The sweet spot? That depends on your location, experience, and market.

If you're in Texas, especially the booming Dallas-Fort Worth market, you have an advantage: strong demand and clients willing to pay for quality. The question is: what are competitive, profitable rates in your area?

Understanding Your Market: Why Texas Pricing Varies by City

Texas is huge, and salon pricing isn't one-size-fits-all. The DFW metroplex spans multiple cities with very different competition levels and client spending patterns.

• Tier 1 cities (Colleyville, Southlake, Keller): Premium market positioning, more competition, clients expect premium pricing. These markets support $50-90+ haircuts and $200-400+ color services.
• Tier 2 cities (Mansfield, North Richland Hills): Growing markets with strong demand, moderate competition. Sweet spot for $35-65 haircuts and $120-250 color.
• Tier 3 cities (Burleson, Arlington): Diverse markets with competitive pricing and strong volume demand. $30-55 haircuts and $100-200 color are standard.

If you're unsure where your city sits, try this: list your business on The Local Gem and see what nearby salons are charging. You'll instantly see what your market supports.

Core Service Pricing: What to Charge in Texas Right Now

Here are realistic price ranges for each major service across Texas markets. These ranges reflect what established salons with solid reviews and experienced stylists typically charge. Actual rates vary based on location, experience level, product costs, and clientele.

Haircuts

• Women's haircut: $35-75 (depends heavily on city and stylist seniority)
• Men's haircut: $20-50
• Children's haircut: $15-35
• Specialty cut (asymmetrical, elaborate styling): $50-100+

Real-world example: A stylist in Keller with 8+ years of experience and strong reviews can confidently charge $65-75 for a women's haircut. The same stylist in Burleson might charge $45-55 and still be at the high end of the local market. Both are equally valid; they just serve different market tiers.

Hair Color

• Single-process (root touch-up): $80-200 (dramatic range due to brand/market tier)
• Balayage or dimensional color: $150-400 (technique requires skill = higher price)
• Full head color: $100-280
• Color correction or complex work: $200-500+ (can be much higher based on complexity)

Color is where pricing discipline matters most. Many stylists underprice color because they misjudge the time and product cost. A balayage takes 2.5-3 hours, requires premium products, and demands expertise. The market in Colleyville and Southlake supports $250-350+ for a quality balayage because the client base expects premium work. Don't leave money on the table.

Hair Extensions

• Tape-in extensions (full head, installation only): $150-300
• Sew-in/beaded weft (full head): $200-400
• Maintenance appointments: $80-150 per visit
• Extension removal: $50-100

Extensions are high-margin work. Material cost is often a small fraction of the price; the rest is skill. Never bundle installation with extensions as a loss leader. It trains clients to expect discounts and makes the service unprofitable.

Nails (Manicures and Pedicures)

• Basic manicure: $18-30
• Gel manicure: $25-50
• Acrylic nails (full set): $30-70
• Acrylic fills: $18-40
• Pedicure (regular): $25-45
• Gel pedi: $35-60

Nail services are high-volume. You need efficiency to be profitable, but don't sacrifice quality. Clients in North Richland Hills and Mansfield nail salons pay premium prices for cleanliness, artistic designs, and skilled technicians. Pricing at the lower end of the range only makes sense if your volume is very high.

Lashes and Brows

• Lash extensions (full set): $120-250
• Lash fills: $50-100
• Eyebrow design/tint: $25-60
• Eyebrow extensions/lamination: $40-120

Facials and Spa Services

• Basic facial: $60-120
• HydraFacial or premium facial: $120-200
• Chemical peel: $80-200
• Massage (30 min): $60-100
• Massage (60 min): $100-180

Spas in Colleyville and Southlake often charge above these ranges due to upscale clientele and luxury branding.

Four Pricing Strategy Rules That Actually Work

Rule 1: Base Price on Time + Expertise, Not Confidence

Don't price services based on how comfortable you are charging that amount. Price them based on: (1) how long they take, (2) your skill level, (3) product costs, and (4) what the market will bear.

If a balayage takes 3 hours and costs $60 in product, and your effective wage is $40/hour, your floor price is $180. Your ceiling is what similar stylists charge in your market. Somewhere in between is right.

Rule 2: Premium Positioning Requires Visible Proof

You can't charge premium prices without premium proof. That means:

• Professional before-and-after portfolio
• Recent, visible reviews (from this month and last month)
• A professional online presence where clients can find you (like a listing on The Local Gem)
• Clear service descriptions that explain why the price is what it is

A stylist with zero reviews charging $75 for a haircut will struggle. A stylist with 40+ reviews and a strong portfolio charging $75 will have a waitlist.

Rule 3: Tier Your Pricing by Stylist Level

Not all stylists should charge the same. A salon can (and should) have price tiers:

• Junior stylists (0-3 years): 30-40% below senior rates
• Mid-level stylists (3-8 years): Standard market rate
• Senior/specialists (8+ years, strong demand): 20-40% above market rate

This is actually good for clients. They have options at different price points. And it's great for staff. They have a clear path to earn more as they develop skill.

Rule 4: Increase Prices Gradually, Not All at Once

Raising prices once a year by $5-10 per service is sustainable. Jumping from $45 to $65 haircuts will shock your clients and lose some of them.

Build in 3-5% annual increases and you'll stay competitive while maintaining your client base. Over 5 years that adds up, and your clients won't even notice the incremental shifts.

Pricing Mistakes That Drain Profit

Mistake #1: Underpricing Your Specialty. If you're exceptional at balayage, color correction, or cut technique, don't charge market average. Specialists command premium prices. Clients will pay more for someone who can solve their problem.

Mistake #2: Bundling Services at a Loss. Offering "cut + color for $150" might fill chairs, but it destroys your profit per hour. Clients who book services separately (as two line items) will pay full price for each.

Mistake #3: Discounting for Regular Clients. Loyalty is good, but loyalty discounts train clients to expect lower prices and damage your actual value. Instead, offer small perks: free blow-dry, priority booking, or birthday discounts. Save discounts for actual promotions or first-time clients.

Mistake #4: Not Adjusting for Market Tier. Your salon in Keller has a different pricing ceiling than one in North Richland Hills. Know your market and price accordingly.

How do you price yourself competitively (fast)?

Want to know exactly what your market supports? The fastest way is to research what local salons charge. Check their websites, call for quotes, or look at online profiles. Browse beauty services by category to see what other salons in your city are charging, a real-time pricing reference you can benchmark against.

Look at salons similar to yours (comparable size, location, client tier) and aim for the middle-to-upper range of what you find. That's where you'll be profitable and competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should a new salon charge for a haircut in Texas?

New salons in Texas typically start in the mid-range for their market tier. In premium DFW suburbs like Southlake or Colleyville, that means starting around the middle of local pricing ranges and raising as you build reviews and clientele. In growing markets like Mansfield or Burleson, starting slightly below the local average can help fill chairs while you establish reputation.

How often should I raise my salon prices?

Most successful salons raise prices once a year, typically by a small percentage. Annual increases keep pace with rising costs and signal growing expertise. Communicate increases in advance, give loyal clients a grace period, and frame it as a reflection of your improved skills and experience.

Should I charge different rates for junior and senior stylists?

Yes. Tiered pricing based on stylist experience is standard across Texas salons. Junior stylists attract price-conscious clients and fill slower time slots, while senior stylists command premium rates. This approach maximizes chair utilization without undermining your brand positioning.

How do I know if my salon prices are too low?

Warning signs include being fully booked weeks out (your demand exceeds supply), clients never questioning your prices, and struggling to cover costs despite full chairs. Research what comparable salons in your area charge by browsing beauty services on The Local Gem and aim for the middle-to-upper range of your market tier.

The Takeaways

• Know your market tier: Premium, mid-range, and value markets support different price ceilings.
• Price on time and skill: Calculate your floor price from costs, then position within your market range.
• Build visible proof: Reviews, portfolio, and online presence justify premium rates.
• Tier by experience: Let junior stylists fill chairs at lower rates while seniors command premiums.
• Raise gradually: Small annual increases keep clients happy and your revenue growing.

Note: All prices listed are approximate ranges based on general market observation in the DFW metroplex. Actual rates vary based on location, experience, overhead costs, and individual business factors. These figures are not guarantees of what any specific market will support.

Ready to Optimize Your Pricing?

Pricing confidence comes from three things: (1) knowing your market, (2) understanding your value, and (3) seeing what your peers charge. When you list your salon on The Local Gem, you gain access to real pricing data from nearby salons, instant visibility to clients searching in your city, and a professional profile that supports premium pricing.

Salons in Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Keller, and Fort Worth use transparent pricing to attract the right clients at the right rates. No guessing, no undercharging, no leaving profit on the table.

Create your free listing today and get access to competitive pricing intel for your market.