What You Need to Know About Barber

Barber Job Description Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, or giving shaves.

Daily Life Of a Barber

• Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
• Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis.
• Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
• Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces.
• Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
• Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.

Qualities of a Barber

Below is a list of the skills most Barbers say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Other Barber Job Titles

• Barber Stylist
• Barber
• Tonsorial Artist
• Hair Cutter
• Barber Instructor

Barber Employment Estimates

There were about 56,400 jobs for Barber in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,600 new jobs for Barber by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Barber are Washington, New Jersey, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, Nebraska, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Barber Salary

Barbers make between $19,280 and $52,600 a year.

Barbers who work in Washington, Maryland, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

How much do Barbers make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$39,350
Arizona	$27,540
California	$35,850
Colorado	$32,670
Connecticut	$27,550
District of Columbia	$38,680
Florida	$22,180
Georgia	$29,140
Idaho	$24,310
Illinois	$42,930
Indiana	$30,170
Iowa	$32,770
Kansas	$25,220
Kentucky	$37,340
Louisiana	$31,180
Maine	$34,490
Maryland	$48,890
Massachusetts	$53,430
Michigan	$28,300
Minnesota	$33,550
Missouri	$24,970
Nevada	$27,490
New Jersey	$32,710
New York	$29,910
North Carolina	$30,870
Ohio	$37,120
Pennsylvania	$28,060
Texas	$31,990
Utah	$24,820
Virginia	$39,190
Washington	$55,980
West Virginia	$24,920
Wisconsin	$34,690

What Tools do Barbers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Barbers:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Windows
• Linux
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Appointment scheduling software
• Customer information databases

How to Become a Barber

Individuals working as a Barber have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Barbers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Tiffany Bumgardner via Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license

More about our data sources and methodologies.