Find a hair salon in Portland, OR
A hair salon offers cuts, color, styling and treatments from licensed stylists. People go for regular trims, a new look, color touch-ups, or styling for a wedding or event. A good stylist listens, asks about your hair history, and tells you honestly what your hair can handle.
How many hair salons are in Portland?
The Census Bureau counted 277 hair salons with employees in Portland, OR ZIP codes in 2023.
Countywide, Multnomah County has 239, or 29.7 per 100,000 residents: more than the US rate of 25.0, and 63rd of 165 large US cities per resident.
Another 1,519 self-employed businesses in beauty salons are based in Multnomah County, the kind of one-person operation the employer count leaves out.
The ZIP codes with the most: 97209 (39), 97223 (23), 97202 (16), 97232 (16).
| Businesses with employees (city ZIP codes) | 277 Census ZBP 2023 |
|---|---|
| Per 100,000 residents, Multnomah County | 29.7 US: 25.0 |
| Rank among large US cities | 63 of 165 county count per resident |
| Small businesses (under 5 staff) | 73% |
| Self-employed, Multnomah County | 1,519 Census NES 2023: beauty salons |
| Population | 642,715 ACS 2023 |
What do hair salons in Portland help with?
- Haircuts and trims
- Color and root touch-ups
- Highlights and balayage
- Blowouts and styling
- Keratin and smoothing treatments
- Extensions
- Perms and texture services
- Natural hair and braiding
- Bridal and event styling
- Deep conditioning treatments
How do you choose a good hair salon in Portland?
- Look at photos of the stylist's own work on hair like yours.
- Book a consultation for big color changes, extensions or chemical services.
- Tell the stylist about past color, box dye, relaxers and treatments. It changes what is safe.
- Ask for a strand or patch test for new color if you have sensitive skin.
- Ask about the price range before the service, since color can vary a lot.
- Choose the stylist, not just the salon. Skills differ from chair to chair.
Hair stylists are licensed as cosmetologists in nearly every state; licenses are often posted at the station. See how licensing works for hair salons in Oregon.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Do you have experience with my hair type and texture?
- What will this service cost, and what could change it?
- How long will it take?
- How do I keep this color or style at home?
- What is your policy if I am unhappy with the result?
- How often will I need touch-ups?
Red flags to watch for
- Starting a color or chemical service without asking about your hair history.
- No license displayed where one is required.
- Unclean tools or stations.
- Refusing to discuss price before a long service.
What changes the price?
- Type of service
- Hair length and thickness
- Stylist experience level
- Product amount, especially for color
- Corrective color work
- Salon location and setting
Get two or three written quotes for the same scope of work; prices vary a lot between businesses.
Questions people ask
How many hair salons are there in Portland?
The Census counted 277 hair salons with employees in Portland, OR in 2023, plus 1,519 self-employed businesses in Multnomah County.
How often should I get a trim?
Many people trim every six to twelve weeks. Short styles need more frequent cuts to keep their shape.
What is a color correction?
It is work to fix color that went wrong, such as brassy tones or uneven results. It often takes more than one appointment.
Should I wash my hair before a color appointment?
Ask your stylist. Many prefer hair that is not freshly washed for color, but clean hair for cuts.
Hair Salons in nearby cities
Hair Salons in other cities
Sources: US Census Bureau ZIP and County Business Patterns 2023, Nonemployer Statistics 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates. Census industry groups can include closely related businesses. Expert Helper is a free matching service, not a hair salon.