Barbers

SOC: 39-5011 O*NET: 39-5011.00
Median Salary
$38,210
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

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

What does a Barbers do?

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

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$28,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,570
25th percentile
Median
$38,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$58,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,460
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$28,600
25th
$31,570
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,210
Mean: $47,070
75th
$58,960
90th
$76,460
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $47,860 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $31,570 and $58,960
  • •Salary spread is 71.7% around the median, showing high variation
  • •Total national employment: 15,000 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:76,000

Top Industries

Other Services (except Public Administration)98.3%
Personal and Laundry Services98.3%
Personal Care Services97.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:8,400

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)76,000
Current
2034 (Projected)79,200
+4.1%
+3,100
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Barbers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 36 locations
Texas
2,580 jobs$30,7601.90x
California
1,390 jobs$38,3800.79x
Florida
1,240 jobs$49,4101.30x
Washington
1,220 jobs$61,1503.57x
Missouri
580 jobs$47,8802.05x
Georgia
550 jobs$30,7501.16x
Pennsylvania
530 jobs$36,9200.91x
Colorado
480 jobs$61,5001.73x
Wisconsin
450 jobs$36,5401.58x
Indiana
370 jobs$33,6001.20x
Connecticut
330 jobs$41,4002.02x
North Carolina
330 jobs$31,0500.70x
Utah
320 jobs$25,3701.91x
Minnesota
260 jobs$53,9900.90x
South Carolina
220 jobs$32,9000.97x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • •Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Arm-Hand Steadiness
100%
#4
Oral Comprehension
92%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#6
Administration and Management
86%
#7
Near Vision
82%
#8
Finger Dexterity
74%
#9
Speaking
70%
#10
English Language
70%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Administration and Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Near Vision
intermediate4.1
82%
Finger Dexterity
intermediate3.7
74%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Customer and Personal Service

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Arm-Hand Steadiness

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Oral Comprehension

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Administration and Management

intermediate
Importance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0

Near Vision

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Finger Dexterity

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance70%
skills
3.5/5.0

English Language

intermediate
Importance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0

Manual Dexterity

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Oral Expression

basic
Importance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Amusement and Recreation Attendants80%
4 shared skills
Cashiers80%
4 shared skills
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop80%
4 shared skills
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants80%
4 shared skills
Manicurists and Pedicurists80%
4 shared skills
Orderlies80%
4 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Social Perceptiveness
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
  • ✓Administration and Management
Learn on the Job:
  • →Service Orientation
  • →Economics and Accounting
  • →Manual Dexterity

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Social Perceptiveness
  • ✓Customer and Personal Service
  • ✓Administration and Management
  • ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Active Listening
  • ★Social Perceptiveness
  • ★Customer and Personal Service
  • ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • ★Oral Comprehension

Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Barbers

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Linux

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Facebook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • •Vendor-specific software certifications
  • •Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • •Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • •Coursera - University-level programs
  • •Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • •Can you meet high physical demands?
  • •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)
1

Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Training & Development97% perform
3

Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Clean work stations and sweep floors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform
7

Order supplies.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Barbers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Barbers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships

RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Barbers

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.41

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.40

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.38

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.18

Concern for Others

Very Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.16

Social Orientation

Very Important

Social Orientation

Importance Level4.12

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Concern for Others
4.2
Social Orientation
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Initiative
3.9
Independence
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • • Associate degree programs
  • • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Barbers.

Browse Training Programs →

The Apprenticeship Route: Earn While You Learn

You don't necessarily need to pay for school to enter this field. There are 309 registered apprenticeship sponsors for this occupation in the U.S. DOL system — including 2 union/joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one, typically starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate, and finish with no tuition debt.

Most sponsors: VA (153) , AZ (68) , IN (23) , IA (10) , CA (9)

How apprenticeships work →Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov)

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