How much does a shampooer make?
The median shampooer in the United States earns $31,470 per year, about $15.13 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all shampooers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 39-5093.
Shampooer salary range
Pay for shampooers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $22,880 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $35,970. The average (mean) wage is $30,830, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,880 | $11.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $27,390 | $13.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $31,470 | $15.13 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $35,610 | $17.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $35,970 | $17.30 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for shampooers (SOC 39-5093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Shampooer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Shampooers earn the most in District of Columbia at $36,320 a year, and the least in Alabama at $20,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $36,320 | 200 |
| California | $35,970 | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $32,640 | N/A |
| New York | $32,050 | 710 |
| New Jersey | $31,470 | 1,400 |
| Maryland | $31,200 | 420 |
| Illinois | $29,280 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $28,130 | 160 |
| Delaware | $27,670 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,280 | 1,210 |
| Florida | $27,040 | N/A |
| Virginia | $26,910 | 790 |
| Georgia | $26,510 | 700 |
| Tennessee | $26,420 | N/A |
| Texas | $23,350 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $23,040 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $21,610 | N/A |
| Alabama | $20,970 | 180 |
State median wages for shampooers (SOC 39-5093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for shampooers
The BLS projects employment of shampooers to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for shampooers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a shampooer
The typical entry-level education for shampooers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a shampooer earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $36,320) and the lowest (Alabama, $20,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,890 people work as shampooers in the United States. At $31,470 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Shampooer salary FAQ
How much does a shampooer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a shampooer is $15.13. The middle half of shampooers earn between $13.17 and $17.12 per hour.
What is the highest shampooer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of shampooers earn more than $35,970 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a shampooer make a year?
The median annual salary for a shampooer is $31,470. The average (mean) wage is $30,830, close to the median.
Is being a shampooer a well paid job?
At $31,470 a year, a shampooer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,890 people work as shampooers in the United States.
Which state pays shampooers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for shampooers at $36,320 a year. California ($35,970) and Connecticut ($32,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a shampooer a good career?
Employment of shampooers is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a shampooer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for shampooers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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