Would you work for 30%?

[Summersuxx]

Hi all, i'm a new tech in the US, got my license almost a year ago but started working at a salon back in February (so 7 months ago) and I'm wondering if my pay is "fair" since i'm a newbie: my boss pays me 30% commission against minimum wage (7.25 in my state), no benefits, but she provides everything. so I get paid either commission OR minimum wage but never both. my largest check was $360 for a two-week period. I do still get tips though.

i don't like how much i get paid but I also don't want to seem ungrateful since my boss provides everything. i know new techs can't afford to be picky. what do you ladies think?

 

[attitude]

Are you making minimum wage for all hours that you work?
For example: 20 hours x $7.25=$145.00 x 2 weeks= $290.00

 

[agnbeauty]

I live in the US and that isn't fair. When I worked on commission I started on 40% as a new tech out of school and later was making 60% with ALL supplies provided except tools. Examine your hours vs your pay then respectfully come to your boss with your findings. You can't work on that forever.

Hi all, i'm a new tech in the US, got my license almost a year ago but started working at a salon back in February (so 7 months ago) and I'm wondering if my pay is "fair" since i'm a newbie: my boss pays me 30% commission against minimum wage (7.25 in my state), no benefits, but she provides everything. so I get paid either commission OR minimum wage but never both. my largest check was $360 for a two-week period. I do still get tips though.

i don't like how much i get paid but I also don't want to seem ungrateful since my boss provides everything. i know new techs can't afford to be picky. what do you ladies think?

 

[Summersuxx]

Are you making minimum wage for all hours that you work?
For example: 20 hours x $7.25=$145.00 x 2 weeks= $290.00

I'll have to look at my paystub when i can find it for specifics but I can tell you that my last check was $145 (including credit card tips) and i know there was at least 16 hours (4 days of four-hour shifts).

 

[Summersuxx]

I live in the US and that isn't fair. When I worked on commission I started on 40% as a new tech out of school and later was making 60% with ALL supplies provided except tools. Examine your hours vs your pay then respectfully come to your boss with your findings. You can't work on that forever.

Did you start at strictly 40% and no minimum rate? My boss pays me a "day rate" of $25 as long as i'm in the salon at least four hours for that day. But if the amount i make in commission is more than that, i get the commission instead. or at least that's how she explained it to me.

 

[RED STAR]

Not sure how things work in the states, but over here a general rule of thumb is a third to the operator, a third to the tax man and a third to the salon....the remaining 10% mops up 'other stuff' such as holidays & training.

The salon owner has to earn something for his trouble!

 

[agnbeauty]

I started at 40% with no guarantee. I won't exaggerate it doesn't sound good. I worked in a busy place so no guarantees were offered.

Did you start at strictly 40% and no minimum rate? My boss pays me a "day rate" of $25 as long as i'm in the salon at least four hours for that day. But if the amount i make in commission is more than that, i get the commission instead. or at least that's how she explained it to me.

 

[attitude]

Sounds like you're making minimum wage at least.

 

[Summersuxx]

Not sure how things work in the states, but over here a general rule of thumb is a third to the operator, a third to the tax man and a third to the salon....the remaining 10% mops up 'other stuff' such as holidays & training.

The salon owner has to earn something for his trouble!

and I get that! I know she has to make her money at the end of the day. I will probably end up leaving soon as the salon isn't really busy enough to guarantee that i make any money

 

[Summersuxx]

I started at 40% with no guarantee. I won't exaggerate it doesn't sound good. I worked in a busy place so no guarantees were offered.

Yea boss lady told us today that she's going to start paying us strictly commission, no hourly but the shop isn't busy most of the time so i'm usually sitting around doing nothing and making no money. idk how normal that pay rate is but it doesn't work for me

 

[agnbeauty]

I can understand.. take your clients and go if you can

Yea boss lady told us today that she's going to start paying us strictly commission, no hourly but the shop isn't busy most of the time so i'm usually sitting around doing nothing and making no money. idk how normal that pay rate is but it doesn't work for me

 

[Sparrow23]

My techs get 40% + gratuity. Most days they make ~$20 an hour. We are a busy shop with boutique pricing. Nail school is not cheap and you should be getting paid more. Keep track of all you should be making hours vs commission and get your

 

[Sparrow23]

I can understand.. take your clients and go if you can

Check the laws where you live. That might not be legal. So many techs get taken advantage of in this industry. Please research your employment rights.

 

[agnbeauty]

In my state it's legal as long as you don't have an agreement with your employer stipulating otherwise

Check the laws where you live. That might not be legal. So many techs get taken advantage of in this industry. Please research your employment rights.

 

[TabbyLongNails]

I don't think that's fair pay. I worked at a salon after I finished school and made 50% plus tips. At the salon I'm at now I make 60% plus tips. Both salons provided all supplies except tools. I also live in the states.

 

[nailpod]

Flip you must be super pricing your manicures because my mark up is only 50% on cost of items plus labour per hour which if I gave someone 50% plus I would be broke run at a loss.

 

[RED STAR]

All techs complaining about low pay.... open your own salon...... and have your own eyes opened!

 

[Eloise86]

All techs complaining about low pay.... open your own salon...... and have your own eyes opened!

Second that!! I’ve had my eyes opened and even my clients think I’m raking it in now and don’t tip me anymore!