How Much Does a Loctician Earn in the UK?

"Can you actually make a living from dreadlocks?" It is a question many people wonder about, but not everyone dares to ask out loud. I think it is an important question. You are building a livelihood, not a hobby, so you need to know what is possible.

In this post I show you what dreadlock services typically cost, a simple example of what a month can look like, and how to set a price you can actually live on. If you are right at the beginning, start with the guide How to Become a Loctician and Dreadlock Artist in the UK.

Employed or self-employed?

Employed hairdressers in the UK usually earn a salary, sometimes with commission, and many salons expect a hairdressing qualification.

Most locticians, though, are self-employed. Then there is no fixed salary. What you earn depends on the prices you set, how many clients you have, and what your costs are. That gives you more freedom, but also more responsibility.

What a dreadlock service costs

Dreadlocks are long appointments with a lot of craft, and the prices reflect that. A full head of dreadlocks with extensions often costs between £700 and £1,000. It is often a whole working day, and the price covers the craft, the time and the hair used for the extensions.

On top of that come services like maintenance, dreadlocks on natural hair, synthetic dreadlocks and mermaid dreadlocks. Many dreadlock artists build up a steady base of maintenance clients who come back several times a year. That gives a more even income over time.

A simple example month

Imagine you do four full heads of dreadlocks with extensions in a month, at £850 a head:

• 4 heads at £850 = £3,400 in turnover.
• VAT: Over a year, that comes to around £40,800, which is well below the £90,000 VAT registration threshold. So at this level you wouldn't need to charge VAT. If your turnover grows past £90,000 in any 12 months, you must register, and VAT is 20 percent.
• That is four working days. The rest of the month you can spend on maintenance clients, other services, rest and building your business.

This is an example, not a promise. How much you earn depends on how many clients you have, which services you offer and how you build your client base. In the beginning it takes time.

What needs to come off

Turnover isn't the same as what you keep. As a self-employed loctician, you also need to cover:

• materials, such as hair for extensions
• rent or chair rental, if you don't work from home
• tools, furniture and lighting
• bookkeeping, insurance and any fees
• Income Tax and National Insurance
• your own holidays, pension and a buffer for sickness, since you don't have the same benefits as an employee

Take all of this into account when you set your prices. I am not an accountant, so do speak to one about what applies to you. In How Much Does It Cost to Become a Loctician? I go through the start-up costs.

How to set a price you can live on

Your price should be based on more than what others charge. Think about:

• The time. How many hours does the appointment take, including preparation and breaks?
• The materials. What do the hair and equipment you use cost?
• Your costs. Everything listed above, spread across your clients.
• Your experience. The years of skill behind your work.
• The value to the client. You aren't just doing a hairstyle. You are holding space for a person who is crossing a threshold in their life, and your work will live on their body for many years.

When you are new, you can start a little lower and raise your price gradually as you grow more confident. But decide in advance when you will raise it, so you don't get stuck on a price you can't live on.

Why you shouldn't charge too little

The locticians I most often see undercharging are the ones who are most uncomfortable with their own worth. They set a low price because a fair one feels presumptuous. The result is that they have to work twice as many hours to make a living, they burn out twice as fast, and they attract clients who are hunting for a low price rather than craftsmanship.

You aren't doing anyone a favour by charging too little. Charge what your work is worth, and hold your price calmly. The right clients will come, and they will stay.

Learn the craft and the business together

A good price needs work that holds. In The Professional Loctician In-Person Training in London, you learn both the craft and how to build a business you can live on. You get 2 days one-to-one on real hair models, with me coming to you, lifetime access to the online course with dedicated sections on pricing, clients and social media, 5 coaching calls and guidance in the community.

The training costs €4,599, and payment plans are available through Klarna. Read more about the training in London

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a living from dreadlocks?

Yes, many people do. It means charging for the value, building a client base over time and keeping control of your costs.

How long before I can live from it?

It varies a lot. Many people start alongside another job and move to dreadlocks full time as their client base grows.

What should I charge for a full head as a beginner?

It depends on the time you spend, the materials and where you live. Many start a little below what experienced dreadlock artists charge, and raise their price gradually. The most important thing is that your price covers your costs and your time.

Your work has value

When someone sits in your chair, they get more than a hairstyle. They get dreadlocks that will live on their body for many years, and a person who holds space for them through a whole day. That is worth charging for.

Do you have questions about pricing, or whether the training fits where you are right now? Send me an email at [email protected]. I will answer honestly, even if I think the time is not right for you yet.

With love,
Ann-Marie