The glossary
Commission Split
A commission split is the percentage of service or product revenue paid to a staff member as part of their compensation for completing that service or sale.
In a commission-based pay structure, a staff member earns a percentage of the revenue from each service they perform or product they sell. This percentage is the commission split. For example, a stylist on a 45% commission split who performs a $150 colour service earns $67.50 from that appointment.
Commission splits vary by experience level, service type, and the venue's overall pay philosophy. A senior stylist typically earns a higher split than a junior. Some salons pay the same commission rate across all services; others pay a different rate for services versus retail product sales.
Commission structures are a key retention tool. Staff who feel their earnings reflect their performance are more likely to stay. Transparent, automatically tracked commission — where the stylist can see their earnings update in real time — builds trust and reduces disputes at pay run.
Booth rental is a different model: the stylist pays a fixed weekly fee for their station and keeps 100% of their service revenue. In this arrangement, the stylist is typically self-employed rather than employed by the salon.
On OpenChair Pro, commission rates are set per staff member and per service or product category. The platform calculates every earning automatically when an appointment is marked complete, so there are no manual calculations at pay run. Each staff member can see their own earnings in real time; owners see the consolidated commission report in Intelligence.
See it in OpenChair
Commission TrackingCommon questions
What is a typical commission split for salon staff in Australia?
Commission splits in Australian salons typically range from 40% to 55% for employed stylists, depending on experience and the salon's overall pay structure. Many salons operate a tiered model where commission increases as the stylist's revenue or years of experience grows. Retail commission is usually lower than service commission — commonly 10% to 20% of product sales.
How is commission different from a base salary?
A base salary is a fixed amount paid regardless of how many services the stylist performs. Commission is variable — it rises and falls with the stylist's output. Many salons use a hybrid: a base wage (often at or slightly above the award rate) plus a commission that kicks in once the stylist's revenue exceeds a threshold. This provides income security while still incentivising performance.