The national minimum wage for 2019.
Go here for National Minimum Wage 2019
Hairdressing and Beauty Industry National Minimum Wage 2019.
The rate for employees aged 25+ is £8.21 per hour
The rate for employees aged 21 to 24 is £7.70 per hour
The rate for employees aged 18-20 is £6.15 per hour
The rate for employees aged 16-17 is £4.35 per hour
The rate for apprentices is £3.90 per hour
The term “National Living Wage” was made obsolete by George Osborne in a budget speech in 2015. So the term National Living Wage for the hairdressing and beauty industry is replaced by the National Minimum Wage in the hairdressing and beauty industry and all other industries for anyone 25 and over
2018 Rate for apprentices aged 19 and over
The national minimum wage for apprentices aged 19 and over is £3.50 per hour in the first year of their apprenticeship only. In the second year of their apprenticeship, apprentices aged 19 and over must be paid the National Minimum Wage for their age.
Please read more about Salon Employee Minimum Wages:
SALON EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE IS THE LAW, NOT A SUGGESTION
Kim forsdyke says
My 17 year old daughter is at college doing level 2 hairdressing and works 3 days a week in a salon. She can have models one night a week. Is she classed as an apprentice therefore getting an apprentice salary or should she be on a wage for a 17 year old ?
Nat says
Hi I have been working in a salon from when I got my level 1/2 in hairdressing not got level 3 but have been working in a salon now for about 2yrs my boss say I am not qualified and that I am apprentice I’m not in education I am 27 my question is what wages am I in title to The national minimum wage or apprenticeship Wage
Mick Say says
Hi Nat,
This depends on your contract of employment. Your contract should state how long your apprenticeship will last and therefore what your pay rate should be. Can you please have a look at your contract and let me know the date your apprenticeship commenced and when it officially ends?
Nat says
I have never done apprenticeship I went to full time college in 2012 and did level one and two started salon all most end of 2012 I’m not apprentice and I don’t have a contract as I have to pay my own tax and NI I’m 27 and I have never done or entered apprenticeship So i don’t no where it’s come from
Mick Say says
Hi again Nat,
With great respect to you and your employer. The situation you describe is one of self employment. You are self-employed. However, you should still have a formal agreement with the salon in which you work. Further, you said in a previous comment that your employer said you were an “apprentice”? Your cannot be a “Self Employed Apprentice” you are either 1. An Employed Apprentice. 2. An employee, (qualified or not). 3. A self Employed Hairdresser.
In each of the 3 situations you should have a formal written agreement in the shape of 1. A Deed of apprenticeship, 2. An employee contract or 3. A Self Employed Hairdressers Agreement. You cannot work indefinitely as a casual worker.
You need to ask your employer to formally declare your employment status. I am afraid until you agree your employment status you will be unable to clarify your situation.
If you and your employer decide that you are an employee, or an apprentice then the minimum wage rates that apply to you can be found here. Minimum wage for Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Employees.
If you decide that you are self employed, then you should have a Self Employed Hairdressers Agreement.
Elizabeth says
Hi i have been working as a jounior for the last 5 months, i have been having to do the regular junior jobs, cleaning washing hair dying ect but i am also being made to do my boss’s accounts run around get her dry cleaning and shopping which i think is not right? but im unsure of what to do. I am 18 and am only getting £20 for working 8:45- 6.30 and sometimes later. I want to know if this is right and if not what can i do about it?
Thank you
Mick Say says
Hi Elizabeth
Please refer to your contract of employment and your job description see what it says about your duties there. The minimum wage for an apprentice is currently £2.65 per hour.
Are you an “apprentice” ? or are you an “employee” ? When you were employed 5 months ago you should have been issued with a “Deed of Apprenticeship” if you are an apprentice or a “contract of employment”. Apprentices aged between 16 and 18 can be paid the apprentice rate of £2.65 per hour. When they turn 19 in their third year they will then be paid the minimum wage for a 19 year old.
If you are an “employee” (IE not an apprentice) then you should be paid the minimum wage for your age which is £4.98 for an 18 year old.
jackie1969 says
Hi , I need help understanding my daughters wages she is a little confused to as to what she should get and doesn’t want to ask without knowing the correct info.
She has been working in her salon for 2 years in may. And has just qualified today in her level 2 in hairdressing (20/02/2013) and she will be started off on her level 3 next week but they don’t sign her up straight away they give her a month to decide if she definetly wants to take the course. But she will be turning 19 on the 1st of march which is the same week she will be starting her level 3. The other problem is she has still not signed any contract or agreement with her work even though she has worked there 2 years. Is she entitled to a pay rise when she turns 19 next week or will it stay the same as she has no contract ? Please help
Mick Say says
Hi Jackie
Please read Salon Minimum Wage it will give you all of the information you need.
Apprentices between the age of 16 and 18 can be paid the apprentice rate £2.65. When they jump into their third year aged 19 they should be paid the minimum wage for a 19 year old which is £4.98 per hour.
Regarding a contract of employment – all employees should be provided with a contact within 6 weeks of employment. A young person aged 16 when entering the profession as an apprentice should be signed up on a “deed of apprenticeship” which should be witnessed by a parent or guardian.
Hope this helps. Mick
Sam Foster says
Hello Mick
Can you visualise this?
You’ve trained as a hairdresser and been in the profession in total for 5 years. You self funded your training and continue to fund further training. You have to buy all your own equipment. You are meant to work 40 hours but usually do 45 or more (with no extra pay because working extra is ‘expected’ if you ‘want to make it’) Youre on the minimum wage for your age (21) and live and work in London.
Targets are decided a month ahead and comission is paid if you exceed your target.
So essentially you are a skilled trades person with a massive responsibility and in-charge of most peoples most important asset – their HAIR.
Mick – would YOU – at the age of 21 REALLY want to be on a wage that means you can hardly afford to live or have any life. Minimum wage NOT even London Fair Wage.
I would be interested in your reply
Mick Say says
Hi Sam
Yes I can visualise exactly what you mean. I have seen this first hand for many, many years.
Firstly the Government and the economy determine minimum wage and salary levels and prior to 2004 when there was no legal minimum wage the situation for most trades was even worse.
I have mixed feelings about your comments. Firstly you are in a fine industry you need to be proud of your achievements and be aware that it really is up to you to raise yourself from the minimum wage trap. I know many hairdressers who earn substantial incomes, above the national average wage but these hairdressers decide that they are going to become true artists, the be the best that they can be and be better than everyone else.
Treat your column as if its your own business and work hard to build your client list and to increase your personal prices. Speak to you manager or owner and plan your future and if you feel that you can’t achieve your goals – you’ll need to move to a different salon.
It really is up to you Sam. You can be anything you want to be and you can earn what you want to earn.
I’ll try to write more on this subject over the weekend..
Buy the Stylists Column Building Guide for yourself and apply the principles within. Take full responsibility for your own destiny.
Be good –
Mick
val says
my daughter started as a trainee in a nursery in aug 2010 she was 17 she has done level 2 svq and is in level 3 what wages should she have been getting ,18 in may 2011 ,19 in may 2012
Mick Say says
Hi Val
Please read this page to find your Answer. Please read this page in detail.
Minimum Wage the Law – Not a suggestion
Gemma says
I’m in this position !
I’m 20 years old and have been at my salon for 4 years now and have been through my apprentiship through it. Iv done my NVQ level 2 in hairdressing NVQ level 2 in barbering and am now working towards my NVQ level 3 in hairdressing. I’m only getting £125 a week. Which is the min wage for apprentices but after reading online I think I should be entitled to wage for 18-20 years old. But I spoke to my college lady this Mornin and she said I’m not because I’m doing an advanced apprentiship ? Is this correct ?
Mick Say says
Hi Gemma
The minimum wage for your age and position is £4.98 per hour – in terms of minimum wage there is no such thing as an “advanced apprenticeship” rate of pay.
Please read this page in detail.
Minimum Wage the Law – Not a suggestion
Mandy says
Hi my daughter started a saturday job 4 years ago as a junior working 6 hours in a hairdressers and got paid £3.98 per hour. She has been doing her nvq levels in hairdressing through 16 hours of college a week, Not through her employer so she isn’t an apprentice. She is now on Level 3 hair. She turned 18 year old in October and the salon said her money stays the same as she’s a Junior. She isn’t doing any hair in the salon, she’s just washing, cleaning etc and still does the 6 hours a week. Should her wage be the minimum £4.98 per hour or is the company correct? Thanks for any help.
Mick Say says
Hi Mandy
You have not mentioned your daughters age so I am unsure how to reply. I am guessing that your daughter is 18 to 20 years of age.
If this is correct she should indeed be paid a minimum of £4.98 per hour. If she is below 18 years of age she should be paid a minimum of £3.68 per hour.
Please read this page in detail: SALON EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE IS THE LAW, NOT A SUGGESTION
Paige says
hello, i started my apprenticeship this september at 17 years old, in my second year half way through ill be turning 19, does this mean ill get a payrise from £2.65 and if so when.
Mick Say says
Hi Paige
You should have been on £2.65 per hour since the 1st of October 2012. If you were on anything less than £2.65 per hour your employer owes you back-pay to make up the difference.
When you enter your second year of apprenticeship aged 19 – your minimum wage is £4.98 per hour. < this is the law! Please read this page in detail: SALON EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE IS THE LAW, NOT A SUGGESTION
Leanne says
Hi, I am a junior stylist aged 18. I am supposed to be doing apprenticeship hours but last week there was only 18 hours work for me. I was paid £46 for the week, equivilant to £2.55 per hour. Is this legal? Also they have not given me a contract and I have not been given any hours at all this week – I keep chasing my boss but she doesn’t get back to me. What should I do? Any advice would be gratefully recieved. Thank you.
Mick Say says
Hi Leanne
The minimum wage for an 18 year old apprentice is £2.65 per hour. All employees should have a contract, you will need to insist that your salon manager/owner provides you with one within 6 weeks of commencing your employment.
I do not have enough information to answer further than the above other than to say the minimum wage for an 18 years old Junior Stylist (IE not an apprentice) is £4.98 per hour. As your salon manager has not issued you with a contract then you are presumed to be an employee who is not an apprentice therefore your minimum wage should be £4.98
If you were contracted as an apprentice then your minimum hourly rate would be £2.65 per hour until you turn 19 when it becomes £4.98 per hour.
I hope this helps. – Mick
Claire young says
My daughter began a hairdressing apprenticeship aged 18 and was paid £2.50 an hour rising to £2.65 with the increase, as she entered her 2nd year of her apprenticeship and now 19 her employer told her he wanted to give her a pay rise, we expected this to be the £4.98 required by law however she has been given £4.20, can they do this? I have spoken to her college who were very unhelpful with the attitude that she should be pleased with the increase she had and would not confirm what the legal wage should be. Also she is not aware of any contract and has never signed anything. What should he do?
Mick Say says
Hi Claire
The law is very clear on this: >
The minimum wage hourly rate for a 19 year old apprentice in her/his second year is £4.98
Please read this post > Salon Employee Minimum Wage is the law, not a suggestion.
I hope this helps – Mick
Jamie says
Hi, I started my apprentership when I was 16, I turn 19 in march and finish my level 2 in hairdressing at the end of this month, I have got to do my level 3 next year and have been told that because its a nvq I still get paid £2.65 an hour, even though I will be 19, is this true or should I be paid minimum wage? Also I don’t remember getting a copy of a “deed” or even getting one but i started there in sept 2010 and started my nvq in january 2011, any help would be great, thanks
Mick Say says
Hi Jamie
Thank you for your question. The law is very clear on this – when you turn 19 in March you should be paid £4.98 per hour which is the minimum wage for a 19 year old.
The £2.65 apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19 or apprentices in their first year of apprenticeship. When you turn 19 you must be paid the minimum wage for your age regardless of whether you are an apprentice or not.
Please read this page for more information. Salon Employee Minimum Wage is the Law, not a suggestion
ash says
hi,
i am 21 years old and i have just completed my level 2 in hairdressing. i have worked there for just over a year on £2,60 an hour working 44 hours per week. Now that i am qualified at level 2 i have been put on a barbering coarse which the owner of my salon says because im now on that she can keep me on a low wage of £4. i have been dropped a days work and my wage has only been put to £4 an hour and i get paid cash in hand. i have been working on the salon floor as a hairdresser doing clients for the last few month is this right?
Mick Say says
Answered in Full by Email
However the minimum wage for a hairdresser aged 21 is £6.19 per hour. Please read this article:
SALON EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE IS THE LAW, NOT A SUGGESTION
Thanks – Mick
Sophie says
I am 19 in December and have completed my 2 year apprentiship training in nvq level 2 hairdressing. I am now doing a further course in barbering. My wadges have gone up from £2.65 to £3.25 is this right or should I be on minimum wage?
Mick Say says
Hi Sophie
Providing that you have definitely completed your Apprenticeship – aged 18 you should be paid £3.68 per hour.
When you turn 19 in December you should be paid £4.98 per hour.
When you began your apprenticeship you should have been given a deed of apprenticeship, which is an employee contract for apprentices. Please have a look at your copy of this contract and see what date your apprenticeship ends or ended.
If you can’t find your copy, ask your salon manager for a copy.
Hope this helps – Mick
leanne anderson says
hi I am 18 years old and have just started my level 3 (last year) how much should I be getting paid?
Mick Say says
Hi Leanne
I hope you are well and enjoying your Level 3 course.
The national minimum wage for an 18 year old hairdresser is £4.98 per hour. However…
If you are employed as an apprentice you will have been given an employee contract for apprentices called a “deed of apprenticeship” this contract will state when your apprenticeship started and when it ends.
If you are still within your apprenticeship dates then your minimum wage hourly payment should be £2.65 per hour until you complete your apprenticeship.
You should have a copy of your employment contract but if you don’t you can ask your salon manager or salon owner for a copy.
Please let me know if I can help further – Mick
ELLEN says
My daughter is 19 later this year and has just got her hairdressing qualification. she has decided to do another course for a further year. should she still be paid £2.50 per hour even though she is now qualified and if so what should her wage be when she is 19. Is she still classed as an apprentice because she has decidedto continue with qualifications. If so this seems quite wrong.
Mick Say says
Hi Ellen
I hope you are well.. The minimum wage for a hairdressing apprentice (or any trade) is now 2.65 per hour so this is the absolute minimum she should be paid.
However – I am assuming from the minimum amount of information that you have provided: As follows.
Your daughter entered into a hairdressing apprenticeship aged 16, Completed her apprenticeship and is now qualified and aged 19.
If the above is correct your daughter should be paid the minimum wage for her age which is £4.98 per hour.
Last point. When your daughter began her apprenticeship aged 16 she should have signed (in the presence of a parent or guardian) a “Deed of apprenticeship” this is an employee contract for apprentices. Have a look at this contract and it will clearly state the start and end date of the apprenticeship. It could be that your daughter is in the last few months of her hairdressing apprenticeship if she began aged 17?
I hope this has helped a little – Mick…
Mike Messenger says
Please can I get some information on these new work pensions that the government has introduced. We are a team of 6 and I need to understand my responsibilities. Everyone at the salon is employed.
Mick Say says
Hi Mike
The introduction of new pensions is being staged – and your size of business needs do nothing until 2015…
Please keep you eye on the blog for more news shortly and when we publish our guide – I will email you…
Thanks – Mick