How much do dreadlocks cost in the U.S.? Full price breakdown

The price people expect to pay for dreadlocks often isn’t the price they’re quoted. You might walk into a consultation thinking you’ve done enough research, only to wonder afterward how much do dreadlocks cost and why the total is so different from what you expected. 

The average cost of getting dreadlocks is $150 to $1,500, but that depends on the method, hair length, and level of expertise involved. So, this guide explains why quotes vary so much, and helps you understand what you should expect to pay when hiring a professional loctician.

Understanding dreadlocks and installation methods

The process of braiding dreadlocks. (Source: iStock)

Before you ask how much does it cost to get dreadlocks, it’s important to know its roots. 

Dreadlocks, often called dreads or locs, are rope-like strands of hair formed when hair naturally mats or is intentionally guided into locked sections. They hold deep cultural and historical significance, particularly in African, Afro-Caribbean, and Rastafari traditions, and today they’re also a core part of natural hairstyling in the US. 

Nowadays, locs can mean different things among people. You can either embrace natural texture or choose your own style. So, choosing the right type of locs and the method used to start them is important.

Loc types describe the finished look and size of the locs. Traditional locs are the most common—thicker, clearly sectioned, and widely offered in salons. 

Starting or installation methods, on the other hand, describe how the locs are created. Comb coils and two-strand twists are popular starter methods that allow locs to mature gradually over time. 

Different loc types and installation methods require different levels of labor, skill, and maintenance, which is why prices can vary so widely from one person to another. Below are just a few examples.

Dreadlock types and styles

Dreadlock starting and installation methods

Average cost of dreadlocks in the U.S.

Dreadlock installation cost varies on many factors, such as length and type. The sections below break down average costs by hair length, loc size, and more, so you know what you’re likely to pay and why before committing to the process.

A crochet needle, a common tool used for weaving dreadlocks. (Source: iStock)

Location and labor

Where you get your locs done plays a big role in how much dreadlocks cost at a salon. In major urban hubs, locticians charge more because of higher demand, rent, and cost of living. Smaller cities, suburbs, and rural areas usually offer the same services at lower rates, even when the method and results are comparable.

Hair length and density

The length of your hair and how thick it is directly affect install time, which is why they’re major cost drivers. Longer and denser hair takes more hours to section, shape, and lock, and most locticians either charge hourly or bake that time into a flat rate. Collar-length hair is usually the baseline for pricing, with costs rising as hair gets longer, denser, or harder to manage.

Here’s how that looks in practice: a basic starter loc install on collar-length hair using comb coils with basic styling might take 4 to 6 hours at $75 to $100 per hour, putting the total around $200 to $400. 

If the hair is very dense or slightly past the shoulders, that same service can push higher as more time is added. Once extensions are involved, the cost of dreadlock extensions increases further since matching, installing, and blending added hair adds both materials and labor to the session.

Dreadlocks method complexity

Stylist standing and holding a long hair section. (Source: iStock)

How difficult your choice of method is plays a big role in the cost of starting dreadlocks, often more than people expect. Techniques like crocheting (instant locs) and Sisterlocks sit at the top end because they demand long hours, special tools, and advanced training or certification. You’re paying for precision, stamina, and the fact that these methods create a finished or highly uniform look right away.

So, for medium-long hair, a traditional coil or twist start might run $250 to $450 for a full head, while interlocking the same hair could land closer to $300 to $500 due to added time at the roots. Microlocs often jump to $600 to $1,000+ because of the sheer number of small sections, while crochet or Sisterlocks installs can climb from $700 to well over $1,200 once labor hours stack up.

Loc size

Loc size has a direct impact on how long an install takes and, in turn, the dreadlocks hair price you’ll pay. Smaller locs mean more sections across the head, and each one has to be parted, formed, and secured by hand. That extra time adds up fast, especially when stylists charge by the hour or base their flat rates on labor.

With larger traditional locs, a full install usually takes fewer hours because there are fewer, thicker sections to work through. Microlocs can involve hundreds of tiny sections on the same head, which stretches appointment time and pushes prices into a higher bracket. 

Hair preparation and treatments

Hair prep can quietly add to the total if it’s not already done before your appointment. Many locticians expect clean, product-free hair, so services like consultation, wash and conditioning, clarifying, or detox are often added when clients arrive unprepared. These steps are needed so the stylist can section and lock the hair properly.

Technician experience and certification

Experience plays a major role in loctician cost, especially once you move beyond entry-level services. Master locticians with years of hands-on work tend to charge more because they’re faster, more precise, and better at handling complex hair or problem areas. In many U.S. markets, highly experienced stylists price their services at the top end of local rates, often around $80 to $150+ per hour.

Certification pushes pricing even higher. For instance, certified Sisterlocks consultants go through formal training and are the only ones allowed to install that system, which limits supply and increases demand.

Beyond installation: Long-term considerations and maintenance costs

Completing braids with a two-strand twist technique. (Source: iStock)

The upfront install is only part of the picture when you’re figuring out how much to dread hair. Once your locs are in, ongoing care, upkeep, and occasional extras become part of the real cost. The sections below break down what those long-term expenses usually look like and why they matter just as much as the first appointment.

Monthly maintenance

Once locs are established, regular upkeep becomes part of the routine. Most people book retwists or interlocking every 4 to 8 weeks to keep roots tidy and manage new growth. Skipping maintenance can lead to unraveling or thinning, which often costs more to fix later.

In the U.S., standard retwist sessions usually fall between $60 and $160+ per visit, depending on what’s included. Interlocking maintenance tends to run higher, often around $130 to $200+, because it takes more time and precision. 

When you add washes or styling, session totals rise quickly, so maintenance alone can add up to several hundred or even over a thousand dollars per year.

Loc health and repair

Over time, locs can thin, weaken, detach, or collect buildup, and ignoring these issues usually makes them worse. Repair services like thinning reinforcement, loop fixes, or detox treatments help restore strength and prevent further breakage. Basically, early fixes are cheaper and simpler than full rebuilds later.

Costs vary based on severity and how many locs need work. Thinning or weak-spot repairs often range from $150 to $500+, while reattachment is commonly priced per loc or as a session. Full repairs land higher, especially when dreadlock extensions cost is added to replace or reinforce lost length. 

Loc product costs 

Locs also come with ongoing product expenses that add up over time. Clarifying shampoos, locking gels, oils, and sprays are usually bought on repeat to keep buildup in check and hair hydrated. 

These recurring purchases quietly shape the long-term dreads hair price, even if installs and maintenance are spaced out. Most loc-specific products fall into the $10 to $35 range per item, with shampoos, gels, and sprays replaced every few weeks or months. 

Over a year, basic routines can land in the low hundreds, while more premium or frequent restocking can push costs higher. 

Longevity

Well-maintained locs are a long-term style that can last for years, even decades. Once fully formed, they grow with your hair instead of needing to be redone, which sets them apart from high-maintenance styles that require constant reinstalling. 

Over time, costs shift from installation to upkeep, which is usually more predictable. You’re paying for maintenance, not repeated restarts, unless you choose to cut them off or undo the style. 

If you ever decide to take them down, it’s not impossible. However, dreadlock removal costs can be high because the process is slow and labor-intensive—another reason many people commit to locs for the long haul.

What to look for when hiring a professional loctician for dreadlocks services

Maintaining a woman hairstyle dreadlocks. (Source: iStock)

A professional loctician does more than start locs. They make sure they mature correctly and don’t cause long-term damage like thinning or tension at the roots. Proper technique matters because different methods behave differently over time, and mistakes early on are hard to undo. 

• Certification and experience: Locs require method-specific skill, so training matters. Locticians with formal education, advanced certifications, or systems training (like Sisterlocks) usually charge more, but they reduce the risk of thinning, tension, and poor long-term results. If they have extra experience in similar areas like personal styling and makeup, that’s a nice plus.

• Portfolio and reviews: A solid portfolio shows how well a loctician handles different loc types, hair textures, and maintenance stages. Consistent photos and strong client reviews display reliability, professionalism, and quality outcomes.

• Barber licensing: In many U.S. states, a cosmetology or barber license is required to legally perform loc services, whether in a salon or mobile barber shop setting. Licensing helps ensure sanitation standards and gives clients added protection.

• Initial consultation: A consultation sets expectations before any work starts. This is where a professional discusses hair condition, method choice, timeline, and total cost to reduce surprises later.

Invest on the best locs 

Yes, the price people expect to pay for dreadlocks often isn’t the price they’re quoted, but now you know why. Between method choice, hair length, maintenance needs, and professional expertise, costs can shift quickly, even when the style looks simple on paper. 

If you’re ready to move forward, you don’t have to do the searching alone. On Airtasker, you can post your task and connect with experienced professionals offering dreadlocks services and even all-around hairdressers who match your needs, budget, and location. 

Post a task today and connect with experts who can help you get the look you want, done properly and with confidence.