Salon Assistant Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the fast-paced world of beauty and style, the role of a salon assistant is crucial.

As trends evolve and beauty standards shift, the demand for skilled and versatile salon assistants who can adapt, learn, and uphold the salon’s aesthetics grows incessantly.

But what does it truly entail to be a salon assistant?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the scope of this role,
• A salon owner outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the dynamics of salon operations,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable salon assistant job description template, crafted for easy use on job boards or career websites.

Let’s dive right in.

Salon Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Salon Assistants are responsible for providing support to stylists and beauticians, ensuring that salon operations run smoothly and efficiently.

They may also handle administrative and customer service tasks.

Salon Assistants are often the backbone of the salon, with daily duties and responsibilities including:

• Greet clients on arrival and provide them with consultation forms
• Prepare clients for treatments by washing, shampooing, and drying hair
• Assist stylists and beauticians during treatments, including hair cutting, coloring, styling, facials, and manicures
• Clean and sanitize all tools, stations, and salon areas in accordance with health and safety regulations
• Keep track of salon inventory, restocking products and supplies when necessary
• Handle administrative tasks such as answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and processing payments
• Assist with the promotion and sale of salon products
• Ensure a high standard of customer service is maintained at all times

 

Salon Assistant Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Salon Assistant to support our beauty team.

The Salon Assistant’s responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized salon, assisting hair stylists, skin care experts, and other staff with various tasks, and providing excellent customer service.

Our ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, a passion for beauty and wellness, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

 

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of salon, including sweeping, restocking products, and cleaning tools.
• Assist hair stylists and other staff members with client preparation and clean-up.
• Provide excellent customer service, including greeting clients, answering phones, and scheduling appointments.
• Handle transactions and manage the cash register.
• Help with inventory management, including tracking product usage and reordering supplies.
• Observe and learn from senior staff to develop beauty skills and knowledge.

 

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a salon or spa environment is beneficial.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work well in a team and follow instructions.
• Basic knowledge of beauty products and trends.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new tasks and techniques.
• Physical stamina to stand for extended periods of time.

 

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Discounts on salon products and services

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Salon Assistant
• Work Environment: Fast-paced, full-service salon. Some weekend and evening hours may be required.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Salon Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $22,000 minimum to $28,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Salon Assistant Do?

A Salon Assistant is a crucial part of a hairdressing salon, providing essential support to stylists and ensuring the smooth running of the salon on a daily basis.

Their responsibilities can range from scheduling appointments for clients, answering telephone calls, and assisting in reception duties.

In addition, they might also be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the salon, which includes sweeping hair, laundering and folding towels, and sanitizing hairdressing tools and equipment.

Salon Assistants often assist hairdressers with preparing clients for their haircut or styling session, which can include washing and conditioning the clients’ hair.

They can also help with mixing colors and other hair treatments under the supervision of senior stylists.

Salon Assistants may also be tasked with retail responsibilities, such as managing the stock of hair products, selling them to clients, and keeping track of inventory.

As they gain more experience and complete necessary training, Salon Assistants may start performing basic hairdressing services like simple haircuts, blow-drying, and styling.

Ultimately, Salon Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring that the salon is a welcoming and comfortable environment for all clients while supporting stylists in providing excellent services.

 

Salon Assistant Qualifications and Skills

A Salon Assistant should possess a range of technical skills, interpersonal skills, and a keen understanding of beauty trends to assist stylists and clients, such as:

• Excellent customer service skills to greet clients, book appointments, and follow up on services
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with clients and understand their needs and preferences
• Knowledge of various beauty products and tools, and the ability to assist stylists in their use
• Physical stamina to stand for long periods, and dexterity to assist with intricate styling tasks
• Attention to detail to ensure a clean, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing salon environment
• Basic administrative skills to manage inventory, handle cash transactions, and maintain client records
• Ability to follow instructions and work collaboratively with stylists and other salon staff
• Passion and enthusiasm for beauty and hair trends, with a willingness to continuously learn and improve skills

 

Salon Assistant Experience Requirements

Salon Assistants often begin their careers by attending a cosmetology school or vocational training program, where they acquire a substantial amount of theoretical and practical experience.

Many Salon Assistants also gain hands-on experience by working part-time or volunteering in a salon while still in school.

This real-world experience allows them to grasp the dynamics of the salon environment, understand client service, and learn basic salon operations.

Some salon assistants may also have experience in retail or customer service roles, which can be beneficial for interacting with clients and managing appointments.

For those salon assistants aiming for higher positions, such as Salon Manager or Senior Stylist, additional experience in managing staff, inventory control, and advanced hair styling techniques is required.

Typically, these individuals have more than 3 years of experience in the field.

Salon Assistants with more than 5 years of experience usually demonstrate significant expertise in various hair and beauty treatments, along with excellent customer service skills.

They may also have experience training junior staff and managing salon operations, preparing them for leadership roles in the salon industry.

 

Salon Assistant Education and Training Requirements

Salon Assistants typically require a high school diploma or its equivalent.

However, a comprehensive understanding of the salon industry is also necessary, which can be gained through vocational training or specific cosmetology programs.

Many states mandate Salon Assistants to undergo a state-licensed cosmetology or esthetics program.

These programs train individuals in various aspects of salon operations, including hair treatments, skin care, manicures, pedicures, and customer service, leading to a certificate or diploma upon completion.

After finishing the training, Salon Assistants may need to obtain a state-issued cosmetology license.

The criteria for this license usually require the individual to be at least 16 years old, have completed a certain level of education, and graduated from a state-licensed cosmetology program.

While not compulsory, some Salon Assistants choose to further their education by taking advanced courses in specialized areas such as hair coloring, skincare, or makeup application.

These additional qualifications can help them stand out in their field and potentially advance to higher roles within the salon industry.

Prior experience in a salon environment or customer service role can also be beneficial for this position, and many Salon Assistants gain this experience through internships or entry-level roles.

 

Salon Assistant Salary Expectations

A Salon Assistant earns an average wage of $11.44 (USD) per hour.

The earnings can significantly vary depending on the individual’s experience, the location of the salon, and the prestige of the establishment.

 

Salon Assistant Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Salon Assistant need?

Salon Assistants need to have excellent interpersonal skills as they are often the first point of contact for clients.

They should be able to communicate effectively and have a friendly demeanor.

They also need to be well-organized, capable of multitasking and have a strong attention to detail for tasks such as scheduling appointments and managing inventory.

Knowledge or interest in beauty and hair care is a plus.

 

Do Salon Assistants need any specific qualifications?

A high school diploma or equivalent is usually sufficient to work as a Salon Assistant.

However, any experience or qualifications in cosmetology can be advantageous.

In some cases, Salon Assistants may be required to have a state-issued cosmetology license.

 

What should you look for in a Salon Assistant resume?

Look for a strong focus on customer service skills, as Salon Assistants interact with clients regularly.

Previous experience in a salon or spa setting is beneficial.

Skills in appointment scheduling, cash handling, and inventory management can also be important.

If the assistant is expected to help with basic hair and beauty tasks, relevant training or certifications should be listed.

 

What qualities make a good Salon Assistant?

A good Salon Assistant is friendly, personable and possesses excellent customer service skills.

They should be patient, good listeners, and able to manage their time effectively.

A good Salon Assistant should also have an interest in beauty and hair care, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt to new procedures and trends in the industry.

 

Is it difficult to hire a Salon Assistant?

Hiring a Salon Assistant can be challenging due to the specific set of skills and experience needed for the role.

However, with a clear and detailed job description, and a thorough interview process, you can find a Salon Assistant who is a good fit for your salon’s needs.

 

Conclusion

There you have it.

Today, we’ve unveiled the true essence of being a salon assistant.

And here’s the kicker:

It’s not just about managing appointments.

It’s about helping shape beauty narratives, one client at a time.

With our comprehensive salon assistant job description template and real-life examples, you’re prepared to take the next step.

But why stop there?

Immerse yourself further with our job description generator. It’s your ultimate tool for crafting precise job listings or polishing your resume to perfection.

Keep in mind:

Every interaction is a key component of the client’s experience.

Let’s create stunning beauty stories. Together.

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