Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Barbers provide grooming services and personal care, working directly with clients and relying heavily on people-focused skills. Nationally, there are about 76,000 barber jobs, indicating a sizable workforce across the country. Projected employment growth of 4.1% suggests that opportunities are expected to expand over time, with around 8,000 openings each year from new positions and turnover. Typical entry into this career involves a postsecondary nondegree award, which can make it accessible to those who prefer shorter formal education paths. Success in this field draws on fine motor skills, customer service, interpersonal strengths, and creativity. Physical strength and stamina also matter, as barbers spend significant time on their feet. For those who enjoy working closely with people and using both technical and creative abilities, this role can offer a stable, hands-on career with options to work in a variety of locations, including states and metro areas with particularly strong opportunity scores.
The national median annual salary for barbers is $38,960, but pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the highlighted states, Colorado stands out with a median salary of $61,500 and Washington is close behind at $61,150. Virginia’s median of $46,730 is above the national median, while California’s $38,380 is slightly below, and Texas shows a lower median of $30,760. At the metro level, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO has a median salary of $61,080, while Washington’s and Colorado’s statewide medians point to strong earning potential in parts of the West. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($43,650) and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($33,000) illustrate how earnings can differ even within the same state. Overall, barbers can see significantly different pay levels depending on where they choose to work.
Barbers have a national employment level of 76,000, indicating a well-established occupation with a broad presence. The projected employment growth rate of 4.1% points to an expanding labor market over the projection period. This growth is paired with an estimated 8,000 annual openings, reflecting both new job creation and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. Because the same 4.1% growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, the expansion trend is consistent in the locations listed. For career planners, this combination of an existing workforce, measurable projected growth, and a steady flow of openings suggests that people entering barbering can expect ongoing job opportunities over time, whether they are just starting out or considering a career change into this field.
Location makes a clear difference for barbers, both in salary and concentration of jobs. Among states with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $38,380, and employment of 1,390. Texas has the highest employment in this group at 2,580 but a lower median salary of $30,760 and an opportunity score of 51.57. Colorado and Washington stand out for higher median salaries—$61,500 and $61,150, respectively—with moderate employment levels and solid opportunity scores above 56. Virginia combines a median salary of $46,730 with a 54.96 opportunity score and smaller employment count. At the metro level, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has the top opportunity score of 68.75, reflecting a mix of a $43,650 median salary and 170 jobs. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX offer larger job counts, while Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO shows particularly high pay at $61,080.
For barbers, the typical education requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, which means formal training beyond high school without completing a full degree. This pathway can allow for focused preparation specifically in barbering rather than broad academic study. In addition to formal training, the skill profile for barbers is wide-ranging. Fine motor skills and being detail oriented are important for precise work. Interpersonal and customer service skills support strong client relationships, while speaking and listening skills help with clear communication. Creativity and innovation contribute to offering appealing services, and mechanical skills may be relevant when working with tools and equipment. Physical strength and stamina support the physical demands of the role. Adaptability and an understanding of science round out the skill set, reflecting the need to adjust to different clients and situations while applying relevant technical knowledge gained during postsecondary training.
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