Traditional Employee Costs

Hiring a full-time receptionist typically costs barbershop owners $50,000 annually in San Diego—and that's just the base salary. You'll also need to budget for:

• Health insurance: $5,000-$8,000/year
• Payroll taxes: ~$3,825/year
• Workers' compensation: $500-$1,000/year
• Vacation and sick days (unpaid coverage): $2,000-$3,000/year
• Training and onboarding: $500-$1,500

Total annual investment: $61,000-$67,000

AI Receptionist Costs

OAK AI offers an affordable alternative at a fraction of the cost. Monthly subscriptions start at just a few hundred dollars per month, with no additional hidden fees.

Total annual investment: $2,400-$4,800

One of the most significant advantages of an AI receptionist is availability. Human receptionists work 9-5 shifts (or whatever schedule you set), but your barbershop may have customers calling or texting outside those hours.

Even the most dedicated employee will have off days. They might miswrite a phone number, forget to relay a message, or accidentally double-book an appointment slot. AI systems don't experience fatigue, distractions, or bad moods.

Planning to open a second location in Little Italy or expand your current shop? Hiring and training another receptionist compounds your overhead costs exponentially.