Barbers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Mean (average) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 90th percentile | $76,460 | $36.76 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Barbers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 36 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,120 | $26,380 | $29,120 | ||
| Arizona | $34,380 | $31,950 | $37,440 | ||
| Arkansas | $25,640 | $24,240 | $33,750 | 170 | 1.33 |
| California | $38,380 | $35,900 | $69,530 | 1,390 | 0.79 |
| Colorado | $61,500 | $33,130 | $81,060 | 480 | 1.73 |
| Connecticut | $41,400 | $38,500 | $48,600 | 330 | 2.02 |
| Florida | $49,410 | $31,000 | $79,490 | 1,240 | 1.3 |
| Georgia | $30,750 | $27,950 | $78,710 | 550 | 1.16 |
| Idaho | $36,040 | $21,880 | $59,590 | 130 | 1.53 |
| Illinois | $65,430 | $31,460 | $71,990 | ||
| Indiana | $33,600 | $29,670 | $60,060 | 370 | 1.2 |
| Iowa | $58,900 | $31,200 | $81,710 | 130 | 0.87 |
| Louisiana | $44,430 | $22,340 | $56,110 | 40 | 0.19 |
| Maine | $35,300 | $30,470 | $74,930 | 50 | 0.87 |
| Maryland | $35,400 | $32,720 | $58,510 | ||
| Michigan | $35,490 | $28,840 | $71,810 | ||
| Minnesota | $53,990 | $39,000 | $59,170 | 260 | 0.9 |
| Mississippi | $38,480 | $26,290 | $42,870 | ||
| Missouri | $47,880 | $36,710 | $80,950 | 580 | 2.05 |
| Nebraska | $39,090 | $30,570 | $58,390 | ||
| New Jersey | $54,850 | $32,220 | $88,440 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,100 | $36,440 | $41,180 | 50 | 0.56 |
| New York | $38,580 | $35,430 | $63,180 | ||
| North Carolina | $31,050 | $28,370 | $90,270 | 330 | 0.7 |
| North Dakota | $48,540 | $28,760 | $59,070 | 80 | 1.91 |
| Oklahoma | $34,860 | $29,340 | $35,820 | 170 | 1.01 |
| Oregon | $77,430 | $64,310 | $103,800 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $36,920 | $30,410 | $46,700 | 530 | 0.91 |
| Rhode Island | $34,900 | $34,480 | $63,230 | ||
| South Carolina | $32,900 | $23,240 | $74,570 | 220 | 0.97 |
| Tennessee | $24,690 | $22,850 | $43,620 | ||
| Texas | $30,760 | $28,340 | $80,430 | 2,580 | 1.9 |
| Utah | $25,370 | $23,890 | $26,810 | 320 | 1.91 |
| Virginia | $46,730 | $37,270 | $75,860 | 160 | 0.41 |
| Washington | $61,150 | $52,540 | $76,480 | 1,220 | 3.57 |
| Wisconsin | $36,540 | $30,530 | $61,200 | 450 | 1.58 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for barbers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 6,900. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 79.9%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for barbers
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Barbering/Barber CIP 12.0402
- Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design CIP 12.0407
- Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager CIP 12.0412
- Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor CIP 12.0413
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical 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.
Technology skills
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Linux (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Appointment scheduling software
- Customer information databases
- Point of sale POS payment software
- YouTube
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Time Management, Persuasion.
Common job titles: Barber Shop Operator, Barber Stylist, Hair Stylist, Stylist.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do barbers make?
The national median annual wage for barbers was $38,210 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $28,600 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $76,460. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do barbers need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is barbers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of barbers to change +3.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 6,900 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay barbers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Oregon ($77,430), Illinois ($65,430), Colorado ($61,500). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.