Barber

National Avg. Salary

$29,140 More Salary Data →

Job Growth Rate

10% More Growth Data →

Recommended Degree

Certification Programs & Degrees →

Attributes

Don't Take Work Home
Good Money From Tips
Skill-Based Work
Working With People

What Salary Could I Make?

Calculate what you could potentially earn based on job data in your area.

Calculate your Salary

Barbers cut hair, trim and shape beards, and fit hairpieces. They most commonly work in barbershops where only male clients are serviced. Some barbers also own their own barbershops and are responsible for scheduling appointments, managing business paperwork, and marketing their services.

You Could Save Thousands Of Dollars Toward College

Take Free Online Courses from OnlineDegree.com and You Could Finish Your Freshman Year of College. Yep, Free.

Get Started in 60 Seconds

or Learn More →

Job Description

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in barber roles:

Discuss hairstyles with male clients and cut hair into desired styles
Perform facial shaving services, including both clean shaves and moustache/beard shaping
Make clients feel comfortable by engaging in small talk, encouraging both tips and repeat visits
Schedule appointments, recruit new clients, and take payments for services
Less commonly: apply hair color, set permanents, or fit clients for hair pieces

A Day in the Life

Barbers are stylists who focus their talents on male clientele. They work in barbershops, performing hair cutting, shaving, and beard-trimming services. Barbers may work in one of three types of situations: they may be employed full-time by a barber shop owner, they may rent a booth in a barber shop, or they may own their own barber shop. Barbers who rent booths or own their own shops must recruit new clientele, while those who work for established shops may have more walk-in clients.

When clients arrive for appointments, barbers consult with clients as to what type of hairstyle they’re looking for. This may be as simple as a trim, or it may require flipping through pages of books or images on the internet to find the client’s preferred cut. Then, the barber washes and cuts the client’s hair to match the selected style. The barber may also shave the client’s face—if desired—or may trim and shape client’s facial hair. When finished, the barber dries and styles the client’s hair.

Barbers may also be in charge of scheduling client appointments and taking payments for services. One important role of the barber is also to make the client feel comfortable; the more comfortable the client feels, the more likely the barber will be to earn a tip, and the more likely the client will be to return. Talented, charismatic barbers have the potential to earn above-average hourly wages from service fees and tips, and satisfied clients are likely to return to the same barber for years or decades in the future.

Typical Work Schedule

Barbers generally work hours during first and second shifts, and they commonly work on weekends when people are off work. Barbers who own their own shops are able to set their own schedules and work whenever they want. Both part-time and full-time schedules are common in this profession.

Projected Job Growth

Due to population growth leading to more people who need routine haircuts, it’s expected that demand for barbers will grow in the coming decade.

Typical Employers

Most barbers work for either barbershops or salons. Many are also self-employed and operate their own barbershops or rent booth space in a barbershop owned by someone else.

Can I Become a Barber?

We'll Get You The Facts You Need

What Degree You Might Need
Your Potential Salary
Where in U.S. is the Job Growth?
How Long It Could Take
Cost of Tuition

Try Our Free Calculator →

Want To Be a Barber? Start Your Path Today.

Take Over 15 Free Courses at OnlineDegree.com that Could Receive Credits Towards Your College Degree.

Enroll Now and Get Started

or Learn More →

Barber Salary Data

We've provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Annual Salary

Low Range

$19,830

Average

$29,140

High Range

$47,410

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$10/hr

Average

$14/hr

High Range

$23/hr

How do Barber salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Barber's can make an average annual salary of $29,140, or $14 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $19,830 or $10 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

#715 Nationally for All Careers

What Will Your State Pay?

State	Hourly	Annual
California	$00.000	$00.000
Texas	$00.000	$00.000
Florida	$00.000	$00.000
Washington	$00.000	$00.000
Tennessee	$00.000	$00.000

Find Out Your State's Average Salary Based on the Latest Jobs Data.

Calculate My Salary

How To Become

All states require barbers to become licensed in order to practice in the state. To become licensed, aspiring barbers must attend a postsecondary school that specializes in barbering. Similar to cosmetology school, barbering schools are vocational institutions that teach students how to cut, color, and style hair, how to perform facials, how to properly care for different hair types, and how to shape facial hair into different styles. After graduating from a barbering school, students earn the proper state licensure and can begin working as barbers in their state of residence.

Generally, barbers start out working as employees of established barbershops or salons. This allows new barbers to gain professional experience and begin building a clientele base. After working in an established barbershop for several years and acquiring many clients, barbers commonly move into self-employment. Renting a booth at a barbershop or owning a barbershop allows barbers to make more money, though it also makes them fully responsible for running a business.

Because attracting clientele and managing a business requires savvy marketing and business skills, many barbers find it beneficial to take coursework in business and marketing at the college level. Associate’s degrees in marketing or business can teach aspiring self-employed barbers how to market their services, manage their business finances, and maintain business paperwork for tax and legal purposes.

Start Your Path To Become a Barber, Free!

At OnlineDegree.com you could receive college credits towards your degree by taking free courses online. Potentially saving you thousands of dollars and time.

Enroll Now!

Quick Summary

Recommended Min. Degree

Certification

Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Barber. a Certification is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.

Highest Education Among Barber

0.1% Doctorate
0.3% Masters
4.2% Bachelors
7.2% Associates
26.8% College
48.7% High School
12.8% Less than High School

Want To Be a Barber? Get Started!

Take Over 15 Free Courses at OnlineDegree.com That Could Receive Credits Towards College... Saving You Both Time and Money.

Enroll Now and Get Started

or Learn More →

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

59,200

2024 Est. Jobs

65,100

Job Growth Rate

10%

Est. New Jobs

5,900

How does Barber job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 5,900 jobs for a total of 65,100 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 10% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.