Will AI replace shampooers?
Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Shampooers score 14 out of 100 (low exposure), #694 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 1 of the job's 4 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.
Which shampooers tasks can AI do?
The most exposed tasks include "Maintain treatment records".
Which shampooers tasks are hardest for AI?
Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Massage, shampoo, and condition patron's hair and scalp to clean them and remove excess oil"; "Advise patrons with chronic or potentially contagious scalp conditions to seek medical treatment"; "Treat scalp conditions and hair loss, using specialized lotions, shampoos, or equipment such as infrared lamps or vibrating equipment".
Are people already using AI for this work?
Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 4 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.
How many people work as shampooers, and what do they earn?
About 8,070 people in the US, with median pay of $32,600 a year (BLS, May 2025).