Will AI replace shampooers?
Parts of the job are being automated. About 7h 11m of an 8-hour shift goes to tasks that AI or robots already do largely on their own. The rest still needs a person. The other 49m (10%) stays with people. Separately, BLS expects about 5.6% more of these jobs by 2035 (all jobs: +3.5%).
What parts of the job can AI already do?
None of this job's tasks show regular AI use yet. That can mean the work is hands-on or in person, or simply that it rarely comes up in AI usage data.
Can a robot do this job?
For some tasks, yes. Robots have done 1 of this job's tasks in workplaces like this one, about 7h 11m of a typical shift. 1 more task has only been done in factory setups built around the machine, so it stays with people here.
- Massage, shampoo, and condition patron's hair and scalp to clean them and remove excess oil. (7h 11m a shift; e.g. EAIN AI-powered hair-washing machine (Shenzhen EAIN Technology), in use)
What parts of the job are still done by people?
49m of a typical shift, or 10%, goes to tasks with no AI or robot evidence yet. The biggest:
- Treat scalp conditions and hair loss, using specialized lotions, shampoos, or equipment such as infrared lamps or vibrating equipment. (25m a shift)
- Advise patrons with chronic or potentially contagious scalp conditions to seek medical treatment. (12m a shift)
- Maintain treatment records. (12m a shift)
How much do shampooers make?
The median pay is about $32,600 a year ($15.67 an hour), 36% below the median for all U.S. jobs ($50,980). Source: BLS, May 2025.
Is this job growing or shrinking?
BLS projects growth of 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all jobs. That's about 16,000 jobs in 2035. It expects about 2,200 openings a year, mostly from people retiring or changing careers. These projections don't single out AI as a cause.
How many people do this job?
About 8,070 people in the U.S., roughly 0.01% of all workers (BLS, May 2025).
What do you need to become one?
High school diploma, some training. O*NET rates this job at level 2 of 5 for preparation.
What should I learn to stay ahead?
Based on official skill ratings and the tasks that stay with people:
- Skills that matter more here than in most jobs: Service Orientation, Speaking, Active Listening
- Get strong at the parts of the job that stay with people (listed above), which take 49m of a typical shift
- Tools employers list: Facebook
Are there new tasks in this job?
Yes. Occupational experts recently added these to the official task list:
- Assist hair stylists with chemical services, such as neutralizing perms and applying hair color.
- Launder and fold the towels that are used for drying customers' hair.
- Refill and stock work stations with supplies, such as shampoos and conditioners.
- Rinse out hair color or permanent solutions from customers' hair.
What similar jobs could I move into?
These use similar skills, with less of a typical shift touched by AI or robots:
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants (1h 46m touched, $36k median pay)
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers (2h 17m touched, $33k median pay)
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants (2h 40m touched, $32k median pay)
- Manicurists and Pedicurists (34m touched, $36k median pay)
- Gambling Dealers (1h 31m touched, $34k median pay)
How solid are these numbers?
Each task carries its own evidence label. For this job: 1 with robots in real deployments, 3 with no AI or robot evidence found. The minutes per task are estimates, not measured hours, and "no evidence" doesn't prove a task is safe.
