Barbers
Also called: Barber Shop Operator, Barber Stylist, Hair Cutter, Hair Stylist, Licensed Barber, Stylist, Tonsorial Artist
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
What barbers do
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.
- Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
- Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.
- Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
- Shampoo hair.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Barbers salary
The median annual wage for barbers is $38,210 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $28,600 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $76,460. The mean annual wage is $47,070.
The mean hourly wage of $22.00 is 3.0× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Barbers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $38,210 → in 3 years $42,000 → in 5 years $44,800 → in 10 years $52,600 (10-year range $45,200–$61,000). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Barbers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Barbers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Barbers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Barbers United States | 理容師 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $38,210 | ¥3.89M ≈ $24,707 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $52,600 | ¥5.34M |
| Outlook score | 60 | 59 |
| AI replacement risk | 13% Very low | 8% Very low |
| Workers | 15K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Barbers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become barbers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as barbers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.