Barbers primarily serve male clients but may also have a few female customers. Beyond haircuts, barbers groom beards, perform facials, and fit hairpieces. Their career tends to be recession-resistant, as clients usually prioritize spending on personal grooming regardless of economic conditions.
Barber Job Responsibilities
On a typical day, a barber’s tasks might include:
- Recommending haircuts, treatments, and other services
- Discussing which hairstyles suit the client best
- Performing services such as hair washing, cutting, coloring, and shaving
- Offering hair color, perms, bleaching, and highlights
- Mastering tools of the trade like scissors, straight razors, and clippers
- Engaging in conversation with clients (when they’re in the mood to chat)
Essential Soft Skills for Barbers
Being a successful barber requires more than technical ability. Because it’s a customer-facing career, the following soft skills are essential:
- Customer service: It’s a service-driven profession, so being friendly and personable helps build long-term relationships with clients.
- Listening skills: Clients will tell you what they want, and while you may offer professional advice, your ultimate goal is to keep them satisfied. And, you’ll hear plenty of stories—ones that could fill a book!
- Physical stamina: You’ll spend most of your day on your feet, often working with your arms raised. Good physical fitness is key to handling these demands.
- Creativity: As an artist working with hair, you’ll often be asked for classic cuts, but occasionally, clients will want something unique. That’s when your creative flair comes into play.
- Time management: In this business, time is money. Managing your schedule efficiently and staying on track with appointments ensures you maximize both your time and income.
Education and Training for Barbers
Becoming a barber requires more than simply deciding to pick up clippers. Here are the steps to get there:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Attend a cosmetology program through a community college, beauty school, or trade school. If there’s a specific barbering track, take it. Otherwise, a general cosmetology program works.
- Pass your state’s licensing exam, which includes both a written and practical component.
- Consider working as an apprentice before launching your career independently.
Preparing for the Barber Licensing Exam
Each state has different criteria for barber licensing. However, the exam typically covers:
- Client protection and setup
- Use of straight razors
- Perming, chemical waving, and relaxing
- Haircutting techniques
- Coloring, highlights, and bleaching
- Facials and skincare
- Blow drying and styling
Try the free cosmetology practice tests on Cosmetology Career Now.
How Much Money Do Barbers Earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, barbers in the U.S. earned a mean hourly wage of $19.99, equating to an annual mean wage of $41,570. The median annual wage was $36,150, with the top 10% earning over $61,090 annually. Geographic location significantly affects earnings, with Washington and New York offering some of the highest wages. Barbers enjoy steady demand, contributing to their recession-resistant career. – Barbers on BLS