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How Much Does It Cost to Open a Salon? (2026 Equipment Breakdown)
The equipment cost of opening a salon depends on scale: a stylist leaving booth rental to open a 4-chair shop, an established owner refreshing stations, and a salon adding med-spa services are three very different budgets. This breakdown covers the equipment and build-out — the biggest controllable startup cost.
Note this is equipment only; total startup also includes your lease, deposits, and working capital, which vary widely by location. Here's what the equipment runs.
What a salon costs: full breakdown
| Configuration | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Styling station + chair (per station) | $1,500 – $5,000 | A 4-chair refresh runs $6k–20k; premium European lines double that |
| Shampoo backwash units | $2,500 – $8,000 each | Plumbing install adds real cost — bundle it |
| New-salon build-out (4–6 chairs) | $30,000 – $80,000 | Stations, backwash, reception, color bar, dryers, POS |
| Med-spa devices (laser/IPL, body contouring) | $30,000 – $150,000 | The big-ticket lane; device reps all offer financing — compare hard |
What drives the price
- Number of stations/chairs.
- Standard vs. premium European station lines.
- Shampoo backwash count and the plumbing install it requires.
- Whether you add med-spa devices (a single laser can exceed the rest of the build).
- New vs. used equipment and vendor-financing programs.
Financing a salon?
Most buyers finance rather than pay cash — the equipment is collateral, which keeps rates lower than unsecured borrowing. The highest-leverage move is comparing at least two offers: a dealer or manufacturer quote against an independent lender.
See our full salon equipment financing guide for real rates, terms, a payment calculator, and what lenders look for.
Get matched with equipment lenders →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to equip a salon?
Salon equipment and build-out for a 4–6 chair shop typically runs $30,000–$80,000, covering stations, shampoo backwash, reception, dryers, and POS. Individual stations run $1,500–$5,000 each.
How much do med-spa devices cost?
Med-spa devices like lasers, IPL, and body-contouring machines run $30,000–$150,000 — often more than the rest of the salon build combined. Device reps all offer financing, so compare it against an independent quote.
Can a booth renter finance salon equipment?
Yes, though the equipment is mid-soft collateral, so approvals lean on personal credit and, for a build-out, your lease and location. The big beauty suppliers also run strong vendor-financing programs.
Prices are typical market ranges, not quotes, and vary by region, condition, and configuration. Browse all equipment cost guides or find your machine's financing guide.