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Commission, hourly, or hybrid? Choosing the right pay model
A breakdown of the three dominant pay structures and when each one wins.
Dana Olufemi April 21, 2026 8 min read
Pay structure is one of the highest-leverage decisions a salon owner makes. Get it right and retention takes care of itself.
Commission
Best for established stylists with their own book. Aligns incentives but can create a 'every chair for themselves' culture.
Hourly
Predictable for the team, easier to forecast. Works well for apprenticeship-driven salons.
Hybrid
Base hourly plus tiered commission above a revenue threshold. The best of both worlds for most modern salons.