Hairdresser and apprentice hairdresser pay from 1 July 2026 under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010: hourly, casual, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday rates, with take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A hairdresser at Level 3 earns at least $29.45 an hour (about $58,193 a year). A first-year apprentice gets $14.73 to $23.56 an hour.
Hairdresser pay rates by level
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.80 | $54,954 | $1,809 |
| Level 2 | $28.45 | $35.56 | $1,081.00 | $56,212 | $1,841 |
| Level 3 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Level 4 | $30.00 | $37.50 | $1,139.90 | $59,275 | $1,919 |
| Level 5 | $30.89 | $38.61 | $1,174.00 | $61,048 | $1,964 |
| Level 6 | $32.00 | $40.00 | $1,215.90 | $63,227 | $2,020 |
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Level | Saturday 7am-6pm | Sunday | Public holiday | Casual Saturday | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $36.99 | $55.62 | $69.53 | $43.94 | $62.57 |
| Level 2 | $37.84 | $56.90 | $71.13 | $44.95 | $64.01 |
| Level 3 | $39.17 | $58.90 | $73.63 | $46.53 | $66.26 |
| Level 4 | $39.90 | $60.00 | $75.00 | $47.40 | $67.50 |
| Level 5 | $41.08 | $61.78 | $77.23 | $48.81 | $69.50 |
| Level 6 | $42.56 | $64.00 | $80.00 | – | – |
Apprentice hairdresser wages
Junior apprentice, did not complete Year 12
| Year | Hourly | Weekly | Saturday | Sunday | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $14.73 | $559.55 | $19.59 | $29.46 | $1,079 |
| 2nd year | $17.67 | $671.46 | $23.50 | $35.34 | $1,247 |
| 3rd year | $22.68 | $861.71 | $30.16 | $45.36 | $1,548 |
| 4th year | $26.51 | $1,007.19 | $35.26 | $53.02 | $1,743 |
Junior apprentice, completed Year 12
| Year | Hourly | Weekly | Saturday | Sunday | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $16.20 | $615.51 | $21.55 | $32.40 | $1,163 |
| 2nd year | $19.14 | $727.42 | $25.46 | $38.28 | $1,339 |
| 3rd year | $22.68 | $861.71 | $30.16 | $45.36 | $1,548 |
| 4th year | $26.51 | $1,007.19 | $35.26 | $53.02 | $1,743 |
Adult apprentice
| Year | Hourly | Weekly | Saturday | Sunday | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $23.56 | $895.28 | $31.33 | $47.12 | $1,594 |
| 2nd year | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $36.99 | $55.62 | $1,809 |
| 3rd year | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $36.99 | $55.62 | $1,809 |
| 4th year | $27.81 | $1,056.80 | $36.99 | $55.62 | $1,809 |
Hairdressing apprentices without a completed pre-apprenticeship. Casual rates include the 25% loading. A year is the weekly rate × 52 for a 38-hour week.
How it works
- The Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 covers hairdressing, barbering and beauty salons.
- First and second year apprentice rates depend on whether you completed Year 12; apprentices who did a pre-apprenticeship have separate rates.
- Super is paid on top. Commission and bonuses are extra.
Common questions
How much does a hairdresser earn in Australia?
Under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010, Level 3 is $29.45 an hour ($1,119.10 a week, about $58,193 a year) from 1 July 2026; the levels run from $27.81 to $32.00. Many salons pay above the award or commission.
How much does a first-year apprentice hairdresser earn?
$14.73 an hour if you didn't finish Year 12, $16.20 if you did, and $23.56 as an adult apprentice. Apprentices who completed a pre-apprenticeship have their own rates in the pay guide.
How much does a 4th-year apprentice hairdresser earn?
$26.51 an hour, or $1,007.19 a week, for a junior apprentice.
What is the Saturday rate for hairdressers?
Between 7am and 6pm Saturday is paid at 133% for full-time and part-time staff ($39.17 at Level 3) and casuals get $46.53. Sunday is double time ($58.90).
When do the rates go up?
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also retail pay rates, casual loading and junior pay rates.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide MA000005 (published 24 June 2026), Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 [MA000005]. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.