ATO benchmarks for hairdressers
Hairdressers earn from cuts, colour and styling, with some product sales on the side, while salon rent, colour and styling supplies and staff time are their main costs.
General information
Total expenses as a share of turnover
Low and high end of each published range
| Turnover range | Financial year | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 to $150,000 | 2023-24 | 40% | 57% |
| $50,000 to $150,000 | 2022-23 | 41% | 58% |
| $150,001 to $300,000 | 2023-24 | 58% | 75% |
| $150,001 to $300,000 | 2022-23 | 59% | 76% |
| More than $300,000 | 2023-24 | 75% | 86% |
| More than $300,000 | 2022-23 | 75% | 86% |
Australian Taxation Office, Small Business Benchmarks, key ratios for 2023-24 and 2022-23 (data.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What sits behind these figures in the books
- The main day-to-day expense lines are salon rent, colour, foils and other salon supplies, staff costs, power and water, insurance, and fees for the booking system and card terminal.
- Retail hair care products bought to resell are recorded apart from the colour and supplies used on clients, so each kind of spending stays clear in the books.
- Purchases of styling chairs, basins and dryers are kept apart from running costs, and personal grooming or household spending stays out of the salon's accounts.
Sources
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2023-24 financial year, released 16 March 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2023-24 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
- Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks (key ratios)
Australian Taxation Office. 2022-23 financial year, released 17 March 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Based on Australian Taxation Office data, Small Business Benchmarks, 2022-23 Benchmarks, licensed under CC BY 2.5 AU Licence: CC BY 2.5 AU.
Get your books in order
Cost of sales and total expenses are only as reliable as the books behind them. Tell us how your business runs and we will suggest a bookkeeping plan that fits.