How much does a barber make?
The median barber in the United States earns $38,960 per year, about $18.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all barbers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 39-5011.
Barber salary range
Pay for barbers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,770 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,440. The average (mean) wage of $47,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,770 | $13.35 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $32,050 | $15.41 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,960 | $18.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 | $28.45 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,440 | $37.71 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for barbers (SOC 39-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Barber salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Barbers earn the most in District of Columbia at $102,360 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $24,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,360 | N/A |
| Iowa | $78,480 | 140 |
| Washington | $70,750 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $64,290 | 250 |
| Colorado | $56,690 | 630 |
| Louisiana | $49,850 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $49,360 | 1,150 |
| Massachusetts | $48,990 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $48,930 | N/A |
| Georgia | $47,630 | 650 |
| Ohio | $46,930 | N/A |
| Florida | $46,900 | 1,730 |
| Maryland | $46,530 | N/A |
| Virginia | $44,760 | N/A |
| Missouri | $44,390 | 470 |
| Indiana | $43,590 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,570 | 920 |
| South Carolina | $37,300 | 490 |
| Minnesota | $37,250 | N/A |
| California | $36,590 | 1,630 |
| Maine | $36,460 | 70 |
| Texas | $36,400 | 3,920 |
| Illinois | $36,300 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $35,810 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $34,360 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $34,360 | 350 |
| North Dakota | $34,100 | 50 |
| Arizona | $32,840 | N/A |
| New York | $32,050 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $31,450 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $31,230 | 280 |
| Michigan | $29,390 | 190 |
| Alabama | $27,850 | 90 |
| Utah | $25,290 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $24,700 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $24,110 | 60 |
State median wages for barbers (SOC 39-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for barbers
The BLS projects employment of barbers to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 75,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 78,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,900 openings a year for barbers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a barber
The typical entry-level education for barbers is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a barber earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $102,360) and the lowest (Mississippi, $24,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 18,100 people work as barbers in the United States. At $38,960 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Barber salary FAQ
How much does a barber make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a barber is $18.73. The middle half of barbers earn between $15.41 and $28.45 per hour.
What is the highest barber salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of barbers earn more than $78,440 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a barber make a year?
The median annual salary for a barber is $38,960. The average (mean) wage of $47,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a barber a well paid job?
At $38,960 a year, a barber earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 18,100 people work as barbers in the United States.
Which state pays barbers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for barbers at $102,360 a year. Iowa ($78,480) and Washington ($70,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a barber a good career?
Employment of barbers is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a barber?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for barbers as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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