If you’re thinking about becoming a barber, you might be wondering how much barbers make a year. The answer, of course, depends on a number of factors, including your experience, geographic location, and the type of establishment you work in.
Barbering is a skilled trade that has been around for centuries. It involves cutting and styling hair, as well as shaving and trimming facial hair. Barbering can be a very lucrative profession, as barbers are often in high demand.
On this page, we’ll go into some detail on what it takes to become a barber and also provide information on the average barber salary and different ways that barbers can improve their earnings potential.
How to become a barber
In order to become a barber, one must complete a barbering program at a trade school or cosmetology school. These programs typically last between nine and twelve months. Once a person has completed their training, they must then pass a state-licensed exam in order to become a licensed barber. Although the initial investment of time and money may be significant, those who choose to pursue a career in barbering can often reap substantial rewards.
For many people, working as a barber is the perfect job. It offers a creative outlet, a chance to build relationships with clients, and a flexible schedule.
However, there are also some drawbacks to the profession. For instance, barbers must constantly be on their feet, and the work can be physically demanding. In addition, because Barbering is such a personal service, there is always the risk of coming into contact with bacteria or other contaminants.
Barbers also must deal with the occasional difficult customer. Despite these challenges, working as a barber can be a very rewarding experience. With the right attitude and a strong work ethic, it can be a great way to earn a living. Learn more about how to become a barber.
How do barbers get paid?
The most common forms of payment are hourly wages, commission, and tips, but some barbers may also receive a salary. In general, barbers who work in high-end salons or who have a loyal clientele tend to make more money than those who work in lower-priced establishments or who rely primarily on walk-ins.
Tips are also typically higher in affluent neighborhoods. Ultimately, the best way for a barber to maximize earnings is to provide great service and build a strong rapport with clients. By creating a reputation as an expert in the field, barbers can command higher prices and build a loyal following that will support them for years to come.
Average hourly salary for a barber
The average hourly wage for barbers in the United States is $17.16. Interestingly, the median wage is $14.41, which shows you that there’s quite a range of salaries across the country for people working in this profession.
Average annual salary of a barber
The average annual salary for a barber is $35,700. Again, the median is lower, at only $29,970.
The pay numbers for barbers get even more interesting when you break them down by earnings percentiles. As you can see, the top-paid 10% of barbers make about $30,000 more than those on the bottom end of the pay scale.
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $ 10.79 | $ 12.65 | $ 14.41 | $ 21.51 | $ 25.60 |
| Annual Wage | $ 22,430 | $ 26,300 | $ 29,970 | $ 44,730 | $ 53,260 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes395011.htm#st
Average barber pay by state
| State | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $23.34 | $48,550 |
| California | $21.08 | $43,840 |
| Colorado | $16.07 | $33,420 |
| Connecticut | $19.04 | $39,600 |
| District of Columbia | $17.10 | $35,560 |
| Florida | $15.03 | $31,270 |
| Georgia | $16.53 | $34,380 |
| Illinois | $15.49 | $32,210 |
| Indiana | $14.80 | $30,790 |
| Iowa | $16.36 | $34,030 |
| Kentucky | $19.64 | $40,840 |
| Louisiana | $17.46 | $36,320 |
| Maryland | $15.01 | $31,220 |
| Massachusetts | $15.40 | $32,030 |
| Michigan | $23.05 | $47,950 |
| Mississippi | $11.20 | $23,290 |
| Missouri | $17.99 | $37,430 |
| Nebraska | $15.39 | $32,000 |
| New Jersey | $19.84 | $41,270 |
| New Mexico | $13.50 | $28,070 |
| New York | $17.27 | $35,920 |
| North Carolina | $23.98 | $49,870 |
| North Dakota | $15.40 | $32,040 |
| Ohio | $19.36 | $40,260 |
| Oregon | $21.44 | $44,590 |
| South Carolina | $11.42 | $23,760 |
| Tennessee | $15.13 | $31,470 |
| Texas | $13.72 | $28,550 |
| Utah | $11.43 | $23,780 |
| Virginia | $16.27 | $33,840 |
| Washington | $25.60 | $53,250 |
| West Virginia | $13.00 | $27,040 |
| Wisconsin | $14.93 | $31,050 |
Top paying metro areas for barbers
If you’re wondering what cities have the highest pay for barbers, check out the table below.
| Metro | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $25.97 | $54,020 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $23.16 | $48,170 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $23.13 | $48,120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $20.96 | $43,590 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $19.60 | $40,760 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $18.76 | $39,020 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $18.04 | $37,510 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $18.01 | $37,460 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $16.95 | $35,260 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $16.52 | $34,350 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $16.44 | $34,180 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $15.96 | $33,200 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $15.46 | $32,160 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $15.31 | $31,850 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | $15.26 | $31,730 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $15.18 | $31,570 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $15.11 | $31,430 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $14.70 | $30,580 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $14.56 | $30,280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $14.49 | $30,140 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $14.17 | $29,470 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $13.63 | $28,340 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $13.48 | $28,030 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $11.92 | $24,800 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $11.79 | $24,510 |
How to increase your earning potential
A barber can increase their earnings potential by providing additional services such as hair styling, shaving, and facial treatments. By offering a wider range of services, a barber can attract new clients and increase their income.
A barber can also increase their earnings by working in a busy salon or barbershop. By being in a high-traffic location, a barber can ensure that they are always busy and making money.
Another way for barbers to increase their earnings potential is by becoming a master barber. A master barber has advanced training and experience and can command higher prices for their services. Becoming a master barber can significantly increase their income and earning potential.
Job outlook for barbers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of barber jobs should grow by 8% from 2021 through 2031. This beats the national average of 5%.
What’s driving this growth?
- A return to in-person activities after the initial shutdowns from COVID
- Overall population growth. More people means a greater demand for haircuts
Currently, the BLS estimates that there are just over 50,000 barbers in the United States. That number should balloon past 54,000 by 2031 if their projections are correct.
More questions?
There’s more to being a barber than money. If you have more questions about the profession, check out our barber FAQ page to learn more.
