Personal care and service
Barber
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
Median pay
$38,210
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
6,900
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Barber
$38,21010% earn under $28,600 · middle half $31,570–$58,960 · top 10% over $76,460
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Barber
Dealing with the public
Rarely
Constantly
Unpleasant or angry people
Rarely
Constantly
Time pressure
Rarely
Constantly
Cost of a mistake
Minor
Severe
Freedom to make decisions
Little
A lot
Repeating the same tasks
Rarely
Constantly
Time sitting
Rarely
Constantly
Time standing
Rarely
Constantly
Hazardous conditions
Rarely
Constantly
Exposure to disease
Rarely
Constantly
Barber: 52% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
- Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
- Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
- Clean work stations and sweep floors.
- Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
- Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
- Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
- Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
Also called: Barber Shop Operator · Barber Stylist · Hair Stylist · Stylist
Outlook and AI
Barbers held 75,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 78,300 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Barber vs. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Barber vs. Skincare specialist
- Barber vs. Shampooer
- Barber vs. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Barber vs. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Barber vs. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Barber vs. Sewers, hand
- Barber vs. Personal service managers, all other
- Barber vs. Painters, construction and maintenance
- Barber vs. First-line supervisor of personal service workers