Barber

Your Fit

Income

$39K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

7.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Barber?

A Barber specializes in cutting, styling, and grooming hair and facial hair. This profession often extends beyond haircare, providing a social space and personal care services primarily for male clients.

Sample job titles:

Barber, Barber Shop Operator, Barber Stylist, Stylist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Barber.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Barber earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$28K per year	$32K per year	$39K per year	$59K per year	$78K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $10K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Barber do?

Work environment

Barbers typically work in barbershops or salons, which are environments focused on personal grooming and styling. These settings are often social and interactive, with barbers working closely with clients. Barbers may also be self-employed, owning or renting their workstations within a barbershop.

Quick task list

Cuts, trims, and styles hair and facial hair.
Shaves or shapes beards and mustaches.
Keeps workstations clean and sanitizes barber tools.
Builds and maintains client relationships.
Stays informed about the latest trends in men's hairstyles and grooming.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Traditional Barbering: Focusing on classic cuts, shaves, and grooming.
Modern Styling: Incorporating contemporary haircuts and styling techniques.
Beard and Mustache Grooming: Specializing in facial hair care and styling.
Hair Restoration: Providing services for hair thinning and baldness solutions.
Men's Hair Care Products: Expertise in recommending and selling hair care products.

Description

Barbering is a profession that combines technical haircare skills with strong interpersonal abilities. Barbers must be adept at using a variety of tools, such as scissors, clippers, and razors, to achieve the desired look for their clients. They need to stay updated with current trends and styles in men's haircuts and grooming to provide the best service possible. A barber's role also involves assessing a client's hair type and facial features to recommend suitable styles.

Good communication skills are essential for barbers, as they often engage in conversation with clients throughout the service. This aspect of the role makes it ideal for sociable individuals who enjoy interacting with different people daily. Barbers often build loyal clienteles, making customer satisfaction a key component of their work.

In addition to technical and social skills, running a successful barbering business requires basic entrepreneurial abilities, especially for those who own or manage a barbershop. This includes managing finances, marketing services, and maintaining a clean and welcoming shop environment.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Creatively expressing oneself through haircuts and styles.
Building relationships with a regular clientele.
The social interaction and community feel of a barbershop.
Seeing immediate results of one's work and making clients feel good about themselves.

You might make a good Barber if you are...

Artistic and enjoy expressing creativity through styling.
A people person who enjoys conversing and connecting with others.
Skilled with your hands and have a good eye for detail.
Interested in fashion and grooming trends.
Entrepreneurial and considering managing or owning a business.

Pros:

Opportunity for creative expression and staying up-to-date with style trends.
Strong client relationships and a sense of community.
Flexibility in work environment, including the potential for self-employment.

Cons:

Physical demands, such as standing for long periods.
The need for continuous learning and skill development.
Income can be variable, especially when building a clientele.

How to become a Barber

Typical education

Barbers typically complete a postsecondary barbering or hairstyling program or apprenticeship, which can take several months to about one year, depending on the jurisdiction and training pathway. Licensure or certification is required in most regions and usually involves completing a set number of training hours and passing a practical and written examination.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and Design classes to develop a sense of aesthetics and style.
Business Studies to understand the basics of running a business.
Communication Studies for developing interpersonal skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participate in fashion or beauty clubs.
Volunteer or intern at local barbershops or salons.
Engage in community service that involves interacting with diverse groups of people.

Preparation after high school

Enroll in a recognized barbering or hairstyling program, typically offered through vocational schools, private colleges, or apprenticeship programs.
Gain hands-on experience through apprenticeships, student clinics, or entry-level roles in barbershops.
Meet licensing or certification requirements in your jurisdiction, which usually include completing training hours and passing a practical and written exam.

More resources

National Barber Boards of America (NBBA) - Provides information on state licensing requirements and resources.
Professional Beauty Association (PBA) - Offers industry resources, education, and networking opportunities.
American Barber Association (ABA) - A professional organization providing barbers with education, certification, and industry news.
Barber National Institute - Offers resources and training opportunities for aspiring barbers.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.