What can you earn?

Factors to consider when calculating your earning potential using the Clipt app

Hair styling is a competitive field with historically few options for stylists to earn a living.  However, recently, in many states, stylists are finally able to come out of the shop and into their customers' homes.  This can be a great way to earn money and build a loyal clientele without the overhead of a salon or booth rental. In this blog post, we'll explore the earnings potential for hair stylists who cut hair in customers' homes or offices.  

First, it's important to note that the earnings potential for a stylist who cuts hair at customer homes depends on several factors, including the stylist's location, level of experience, marketing strategies, and pricing.  Even things like vehicle gas milage have an impact on total earnings potential.

Location plays a significant role in determining a stylist's earning potential. The cost of living and the demand for hair stylists vary widely from one city or state to another. For example, a stylist who cuts hair in a rural area may have fewer clients than a stylist who cuts hair in a large city, but they may charge more for their services. In contrast, a stylist who cuts hair in a large city may have a more significant number of clients, but their prices may be lower due to competition and less time to travel.  

A stylist's experience also plays a crucial role in determining their earning potential. An experienced stylistmay be able to charge more for their services than a newly licensed stylist. Clients often seek out experienced stylists because they trust their skills and knowledge of the latest hair trends. Moreover, experienced stylists may have more referrals and repeat business, which can contribute to their earning potential.  Niche stylists with immense experience in specialties such as special needs, elderly, sensory, etc. may also charge more due to the nature of the appointments.  

Marketing Strategies 

Marketing strategies are essential to the success of any hairstylist, regardless of whether they work in a salon or at a customer's home. Stylists who cut hair at customers’ homes can use various marketing strategies to attract and retain clients. Some of the most effective marketing strategies include word-of-mouth, social media, and online directories. 

Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool that can help stylists build a loyal clientele. Clients who are satisfied with their stylist's work are likely to refer their friends and family members to the stylist. In addition, stylists can ask clients for referrals and provide them with business cards to pass along to their friends.  There are stories of neighborhoods that find the same in-home stylist and schedule for the same day every 6 weeks.  The stylist doesn’t have to travel far for each appointment and can knock out a high volume of cuts in a short amount of time.  This is a dream scenario that really maximizes earnings per hour. 

Social media is another effective marketing tool for stylists who cut hair at customers’ homes. Stylists can use Facebook, Instragram, Tiktok, or Pinterest to showcase their work and promote their services. Social media can also help stylists connect with potential clients and stay in touch with current ones.  In the Clipt App, we make it easy to link to your social media platforms so potential clients so they can make informed decisions on whether you’d make a good fit.  

Pricing

Pricing is another crucial factor that can impact a stylist's earning potential. Stylists who primarily cut at customer homes will have lower overhead costs than those who work in salons or rent booth space. As a result, they would be able to charge lower prices for their services while still earning a comfortable income.  For example, if a stylist working in a commission salon taking 50% would typically charge $50 for a 30-minute simple haircut, they walk away with $25 before taxes.  With the Clipt App, the same stylist will earn $40-$45 for the same $50 charge, and still keep 100% of the tip.  A stylist could now choose to charge $35 and still walk away with more than their cut in the salon, even after calculating mileage and fuel costs. 

That being said, stylists should be careful not to underprice their services, as this can create the impression that they are not as skilled or experienced as other stylists. Additionally, stylists should consider the cost of travel and the time it takes to travel to and from customers' homes when setting their prices.  With the Clipt App, you can set the maximum distance you are willing to travel to a client to help keep travel costs in check.  If your vehicle gets 30mpg, and the maximum travel distance you set is 10 miles, at $3/gal you know you will never spend more than $2 in fuel for an appointment (10 miles to and from the client’s home).  Of course, as an independent contractor, you will be recouping some of the wear and tear and fuel costs come tax time. 

Earnings Potential 

So, what is the earnings potential for hair stylists who cut hair at customer homes? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $28,770 in May 2020. However, this figure includes all hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, regardless of whether they work in salons or cut hair at customers’ homes. 

A recent survey found that hair stylists who work independently earn an average of $54 per hour. This figure includes hair stylists who work in salons as well as those who work independently. 

However, the survey found that hair stylists who work independently and travel to customers' homes can earn even more. On average, these stylists charge $75 per hour, with some charging as much as $150 per hour. 

It's worth noting that earnings can vary widely depending on the stylist's location, level of experience, marketing strategies, and pricing. Some stylists may earn less than the average, while others may earn significantly more. 

Example Stylist - Elise 

Elise decides to download and use the Clipt App to supplement her family’s income.  Her kids are in daycare for a few hours a day and she decides to take two appointments, twice per week to earn some money on the side.  Let’s assume each appointment is a single haircut, and she travels 10 miles to each location, and 10 miles back home.  She charges $40 per haircut and receives a $5 tip for each haircut. 

Each week Elise would earn - $148 and would cost $6.86 in gas (30mpg & $3.43/gal @ 60 total miles) 

For the year, Elise would earn - $7,696 and spend $356.72 on the 3,120 miles of travel (not bad for 2-3hrs per week of work on the side).

Come tax time, Elise will be able to offset her income tax using the standard federal mileage rate of $0.655; totaling $2,043.60.  TurboTax has an updated article here that talks at length about deducting vehicle expenses.  Elise also remembers to deduct the other expenses she has – equipment maintenance, cleaning products, business cards, insurance, etc.  And she’s able to lower her taxable income quite a bit just through this side-gig. 

The more haircuts Elise does, the greater earnings potential she has.  Our goal is to bring enough stylists and clients together in the Clipt App, so that everyone is able to get what they need out of it.  A stylist can choose to take a few appointments when they want some extra money for the holidays,  set and work consistent part-time hours to supplement their household income or have the client base to work as a full-time traveling stylist, with earnings potential that can exceed being in a salon or renting a booth.  

We’re excited to bring the Clipt App to stylists and clients alike.  We truly believe there’s a better way to bring haircuts to people who want them in the comfort and convenience of their homes.  And for licensed hair professionals to earn on their own terms.  We’ve got huge plans to bring this to you in the best way possible – and we can’t wait for you to try it. 

If you’re interested in being one of the first stylists in your area, sign-up and we’ll be in touch with you.  You’ll have the earliest access so when we launch, you’ll be ready to start earning with Clipt!