Don't make a career out of it or anything. - Manager Great Clips Employee Review

1.0
Sep 29, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None, besides the opportunity to learn. It's a good place to learn how to cut hair, and you can practice on the customers. Places like Great Clips are where beginner-botch jobs happen, before you go into the REAL salon world. Take full advantage of the customer traffic and learn as much as you can while you're there.

Cons

Zero job security. If you or your kids get sick, you might not have a job when you return. It's not an ideal career. No opportunity for advancement. You become completely disposable. You get paid a little above minimum wage, and only earn a (very small) commission. I just looked at my most recent pay stub, my YTD commission earnings are $328. It's September, so that averages out to $9/week. You're worked to the bone, and you get timed between customers.. You're not allowed to spend more than 2 minutes between customers.. (which means none of your equipment gets cleaned or disinfected between customers, which is gross) They won't back their managers up. Complaints aren't investigated, employees are just written up, end of story. I had the fewest complaints, nearly perfect attendance, and since I worked my butt off every single day, all of my numbers were above where they needed to be, and as a manager, I was expected to be PERMANENTLY on-call. If someone called in, I had to drop what I was doing and come to work ASAP. Four days ago, I told my general manager that I wanted to step down from management, and just be a stylist, my main reason being that I wanted real days off, and I couldnt handle being on-call 7 days per week.. and then yesterday I was fired. Like I said, completely disposable.

Explore other reviews about Great Clips

5.0
Apr 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great co-workers, good tips, generally busy, clientele overall friendly, management is super cool and will try to be as flexible as possible with your schedule.

Cons

Working evenings and weekends, but that is salon life.

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Great Clips Response
1mo
We appreciate you sharing your experience with us! Thanks for all you do at your local salon, and for being part of our GREAT team!
2.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Meeting new people. Good tips

Cons

Low pay. High turnover rate.

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