How much does a barbers make?

The median barbers salary in the United States is $38,210 per year ($18.37/hour). Salaries range from $28,600 (10th percentile) to $76,460 (90th percentile). There are 15,000 barbers jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays barberss the most?

The highest paying state for barberss is Oregon at $77,430 median salary.

Is barbers a good career?

Barbers employment is projected to grow 4.1% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 8,400 job openings per year. Typical education required: Postsecondary nondegree award.

What interview questions are asked for barbers roles?

Common barbers interview questions include: "Walk me through your fade process.", "How do you handle a client who doesn't like their cut?", "Describe a client relationship you built.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Sport Clips, Great Clips, Supercuts (large chains) typically uses 1-2 rounds.

What is the career ladder for barberss?

The typical barbers career ladder: Apprentice / New-License Barber (0-2 yrs, $32-52k (heavy tip variance)) → Established Barber (2-8 yrs, $52-85k) → Senior / Master Barber (6-15 yrs, $75-115k) → Shop Owner / Barber Educator / Celebrity Barber (10+ yrs, $95-215k+).

What certifications should barberss get?

Top-ROI certifications for barberss: State barber license ($6-20k program + $50-250 licensing); Barber-specific continuing education (state-required) ($100-500/year); Advanced technique programs (Andis Education, WahlPro Education) ($400-2,500 per program).

How do you negotiate a barbers salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $38,210, p75 $58,960), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Chair economics are the real conversation for barbers. 'Given my 4 years of experience and 8,400 Instagram following, I'd like a 60/40 commission split (barber/shop) or booth rental of $250-300/week rather than the stan...

Barbers Salary

The median barbers salary in the United States is $38,210 per year ($18.37/hour). Salaries range from $28,600 at the entry level to $76,460+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 15,000 barbers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.1% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asBarber

Median Salary

$38,210

per year

Hourly Rate

$18.37

per hour

Employment

15,000

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$28,600

25th percentile

$31,570

Median

$38,210

75th percentile

$58,960

90th percentile

$76,460

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.1%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

8,400

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Barbers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for barberss.

Barbers cut, style, and groom hair — traditional men's cuts, fades, beard work, and modern styling. Careers span barbershops (chair-rental or commission), franchise shops (Sport Clips, Great Clips), high-end men's grooming lounges, and film/TV. Entry $32-45k; established $52-78k (heavy tip component); senior master barber $75-115k; shop owner with strong book $95-165k+. Requires a state-licensed barber program (typically 1,000-1,800 hours) plus state licensure exam.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Fade and taper technique

Skin fade, low-mid-high fade, and taper work — the most-requested modern service. Clipper-over-comb, guard work, and blending are the technical foundation.

Straight razor and shave work

Traditional hot-lather shave, neck line-up, and beard trim with straight razor. Requires steady hand and understanding of skin type.

Consultation and client communication

Read what the client wants (photo, description, or vague preferences) and translate into a specific cut. Repeat clientele lives on communication.

Beard trim and shape design

Modern beard work — length, shape, and blend into the fade. A separate skill from cutting hair; specialty barbers charge premium for beard-focused work.

Sanitation and licensure compliance

State board sanitation standards — disinfection of tools, disposable blades, and station cleanliness. Regular state inspections; violations result in fines.

Retail and product recommendation

Pomades, oils, and beard products. Retail sales are 15-30% of top-earning barbers' income.

Business acumen (booth rental)

Most established barbers rent booths or chairs. Book management, taxes, and personal marketing become the barber's business.

How to Become a Barbers

1
Complete high school or GED
Standard baseline.
2
Attend an accredited barber school
State-required hours: 1,000-1,800 depending on jurisdiction. Cost $6-20k. Programs include classroom theory and hands-on hours.
3
Pass state barber licensing exam
Written and practical exam. Licensure fees $50-250 initial plus periodic renewal.
4
Start as an apprentice or in a shop chair
$32-52k early — chair rental or commission split (typically 40-60% commission, or $150-350/week booth rent). Build clientele over 12-24 months.
5
Advance to Sr Barber, Shop Owner, or Educator
$75-165k+. Established barbers with strong books rent premium booths or open their own shops. Some transition to barber-school instruction.

Career Progression

Apprentice / New-License Barber

0-2 yrs$32-52k (heavy tip variance)

•Complete apprenticeship hours if state requires
•Build initial clientele
•Learn shop-specific culture and business practices
•Master basic cuts, fades, and shaves

Next: Established Barber at 1-3 years.

Established Barber

2-8 yrs$52-85k

•Full book of 25-40 regular clients
•Chair rental or commission arrangement
•Specialty focus (fades, tapers, beard work)
•Retail product sales

Next: Senior Barber or shop owner at 5-12 years.

Senior / Master Barber

6-15 yrs$75-115k

•Booked 6-8 weeks out on premium clientele
•Mentor apprentices and newer barbers
•Charge premium rates ($50-120 per cut in high-end urban shops)
•Represent shop publicly and on social media

Next: Shop owner, educator, or celebrity barber at 12-20 years.

Shop Owner / Barber Educator / Celebrity Barber

10+ yrs$95-215k+

•Own a shop (1-5 chairs) or multi-location operation
•Instruct at barber school
•Cut celebrity or professional-athlete clients
•Represent product brands as ambassador

Next: Multi-shop owner, product-line founder, or media presence.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through your fade process.technical

Consultation on desired length, taper start, and finish. Guard clippers up to the taper line (usually 2, 1.5, 1, 0.5). Blend upward with clipper-over-comb and shears at the top. Detail line-up with trimmer or straight razor. Neck and sideburn shape. Final walk-around check with client mirror. 20-30 minutes for a standard fade; 35-45 for a skin fade with heavy blend.

Q2. How do you handle a client who doesn't like their cut?situational

Ask what specifically isn't working — usually one or two details, not the whole cut. Adjust if within reason. If they wanted something the hair couldn't give (long crown with cowlicks won't lay flat), explain honestly. Never argue — refund or re-cut with grace. A recovered unhappy client becomes a loyal one; a defended bad cut costs the shop reviews.

Q3. Describe a client relationship you built.behavioral

STAR. Situation: new client came in for a fade after a bad experience elsewhere. Task: build trust and turn into a regular. Action: took 40 minutes on the first cut, asked what he'd hated about the previous, made sure the fade line was exactly where he wanted. Result: he's been back every 3 weeks for 4 years and brought his 3 sons and 2 coworkers.

Q4. Why barbering?culture

Craft-based work with immediate satisfaction — you take someone in scruffy and they leave sharp. Steady demand, path to owning your own book, and no career ceiling for someone willing to build reputation. And it's a trade that rewards personality — the conversation matters as much as the cut.

Q5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?closer

Booked solid on premium clientele at a strong shop, charging $70-100 per cut. Long term I'd consider opening my own shop or transitioning to educator work. Building my brand on Instagram and TikTok in parallel.

Resume Template — Established Barber (2-8 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Established Barber (2-8 yrs)

▸Full book of 38 regular clients at [barbershop] with 4-6 week rebooking cadence.
▸State-licensed barber ([state]); ServSafe and barbercide sanitation certified.
▸Instagram following of 8,400+ driving 12-18 new clients per month organically.
▸Trained on fade, taper, skin fade, and traditional straight-razor shave.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Sloppy sanitation — state boards do surprise inspections, and violations get shops fined and shut.
✗Bad consultation — cuts client's hair wrong because they didn't clarify upfront.
✗Poor time management — booked appointments running 15-30 minutes late all day kills reputation.
✗Weak retail — top-earning barbers sell $200-500/week in product; poor sellers leave money on the table.
✗No social media presence — modern barbers build books on Instagram and TikTok.
✗Bad chair-side manner — even great technique loses to a barber who won't have a conversation.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓Chair rental vs commission split — booth rental (~$200-450/week) beats commission at $80k+ gross.
✓High-end urban shop premium — cuts $70-120 in Manhattan, LA, DC vs $25-45 in mid-size markets.
✓Specialty (skin fades, beard sculpting, traditional shaves) — commands premium and social-media traction.
✓Product-brand partnerships (Layrite, American Crew, Reuzel) — sponsor deals for popular barbers.
✓Instagram and TikTok following — clients travel for named barbers.
✓Ownership — shifts income from wage/rent to owner profit; typical 3-year runway to strong shop.

Barbers Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired barberss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
✓ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
✓ Missing skills / keywords flagged
✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Barbers Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

✓ 7-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

Sample reviews — real customer reviews will appear here as they come in.

“The interview question bank saved me. I got the exact question about 'walking through a DCF' at my Goldman Sachs superday, verbatim.”

— Anonymous, Financial Analyst

“Copy-paste negotiation emails are worth the price alone. I used the 'accepting with counter' template and got an extra $8k signing bonus.”

— Anonymous, Software Developer

“The 30-60-90 day plan for a new grad RN was better than the orientation my hospital gave. Wish I'd bought this in nursing school.”

— Anonymous, Registered Nurse

Barbers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$25K

$77K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Oregon	$77,430	+102.6%	0
Illinois	$65,430	+71.2%	0
Colorado	$61,500	+61.0%	480
Washington	$61,150	+60.0%	1,220
Iowa	$58,900	+54.1%	130
New Jersey	$54,850	+43.5%	0
Minnesota	$53,990	+41.3%	260
Florida	$49,410	+29.3%	1,240
North Dakota	$48,540	+27.0%	80
Missouri	$47,880	+25.3%	580

Showing 1–10 of 36

Barbers Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Colorado Springs, CO	$71,970	+88.4%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$64,310	+68.3%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$63,410	+66.0%
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$61,080	+59.9%
St. Louis, MO-IL	$57,960	+51.7%
Jacksonville, FL	$57,860	+51.4%
Springfield, MO	$56,580	+48.1%
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$55,890	+46.3%
Tallahassee, FL	$54,750	+43.3%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$49,700	+30.1%

Showing 1–10 of 38

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A barbers earning $38,210/year would need 1560 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1675 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how barbers salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Barbers salary trend (2011–2024) →