Odds are, you’ve had a hard time hiring for your business at some point. Salon staff turnover is high and team dynamics are hard to get right. And now that online hiring is filled with spam, it’s even harder to find stylists who are qualified, local, and the right vibe for your salon.
The most important part of hiring is fit. We all know that life is much easier when your team clicks. But we often hear from salon owners that they’re hiring every few months, it can be tough to find the right fit in a sea of unqualified applicants & Word-doc resumes.
If you’re wondering why we don’t have a better way to hire salon staff already, we’ve rounded up the tools that can actually help. You’re probably familiar with at least a few of them, but we also want to highlight a newer friend of ours: SalonJobs. It’s an industry-specific job board focused on salons and spas, and it’s already helping salons across Massachusetts get in front of better applicants, faster.
Where Can I Find Stylists for My Salon?
- Your Network: Referrals will always deliver the highest quality talent pool, especially in smaller markets. If you’ve got great people, they probably know great people.
- Social Media: Stylists near you may already follow your salon, or have seen your work. Posting open roles on your salon’s social media can be surprisingly effective (and help showcase your vibe to potential applicants).
- Generic Job Boards (Indeed, ZipRecruiter): These platforms will get you volume, but generally it’ll be lower quality. You may need to sift through a lot of unqualified applicants, and the industry-specific info you need (portfolios, personality, clientele) is usually missing.
- Industry Job Boards:
- Behind the Chair: BTC is one of the most-established salon communities, but their jobs page is not particularly popular. Cab be good for exposure, but limited on local targeting.
- SalonSpaConnection Jobs: Plenty of industry-specific features for hiring, but the paywall means that applicant traffic is lower.
- SalonJobs: A newer platform made specifically for hiring in the beauty industry, with a strong focus on local matches and personality.
Industry Job Boards
Medium
Low
Weak
Niche roles, senior talent
Referrals
Very High
Low
Strong
Trusted hires, long-term team fit
Social Media
Medium
Medium
Medium–Strong
Stylists who follow you already
SalonJobs
High
Medium
Strong
Hiring stylists or assistants in Massachusetts fast
Why We Recommend SalonJobs
We’re partnering with SalonJobs because we believe the industry deserves a better way to connect, and right now, it’s one of the only platforms that is helping Massachusetts salons hire stylists, assistants, and receptionists without the usual drama.
- Built specifically for the beauty industry
- Free to post, with growing reach across New England
- Lets you show off your team, your space, and your energy
- Applicants can share their portfolio, specialties, and personality, not just a Word doc
It’s not perfect (yet), but if you’re trying to find salon staff near you and don’t want to waste time digging through irrelevant applications, SalonJobs is absolutely worth trying.
👉 Post your job for free on SalonJobs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a job application for my salon?
Whether you’re hiring in Boston, Worcester, or a smaller town in Massachusetts, a great job post should do two things:
- Paint a clear picture of your salon vibe
- Outline what kind of stylist or assistant you’re really looking for
SalonJobs makes this easy. You can add photos of your space, share a bit about your team culture, and let applicants showcase their specialties and portfolios so you’re not stuck guessing who’s a good fit.
What are your tips for hiring in my salon?
If you want to hire stylists in Massachusetts (without spending 6 weeks in your inbox), here’s what we recommend:
- Write like a human: not a template. Be real about your expectations and culture.
- Be upfront about growth opportunities: Clarity will attract the right people. If you prioritize education or have a level system, make sure to call it out.
- Include visuals: applicants want to see your space and your people.
- Respond fast: ghosting works both ways.
SalonJobs supports all of this, and lets you feature your salon in a way that actually attracts the right people.
Should I consider booth renters or full-time stylists for hire?
It depends on your business model, and many salons offer both. In many parts of Massachusetts (especially suburban towns), booth rental is super common. In metro areas like Boston or Cambridge, commission or hourly employees might give you more flexibility and team consistency.
The good news? SalonJobs supports listings for both, so you can attract talent that fits how you want to run your business.
How do I find stylists for my salon?
Referrals, social media, and word-of-mouth still work, but they can be slow. If you’re in Massachusetts and want to hire local stylists faster, try SalonJobs. It’s built specifically for salons and spas, and it connects you with local professionals who are actively looking.
Can I post salon jobs for free?
Yes! SalonJobs is currently free for employers. No posting fees, no catch. Just high-quality applicants who actually want to work in this industry.
When will SalonJobs be available outside of Massachusetts?
SalonJobs is starting local on purpose. They’re focusing on Massachusetts first to make sure the salons and applicants in each area get a solid experience with enough job and talent density to matter. The team plans to expand across the Northeast over the next six months, with a nationwide rollout to follow.