Barber Salary
Barbers earn a median $38,210 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$38,210
$18.37 per hour
Range
$28,600 – $76,460
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
15,000
across the U.S.
▼1.9%
Pay trend: The median for barbers in the U.S. fell from $38,960 (May 2024) to $38,210 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 4.3%.
What barbers do
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.3% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 6,900
- Self-employed
- 80%
Employment of barbers is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Barber take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$32,882
per year · effective tax rate 13.9%
$2,740Monthly
$1,370Twice a month
$1,265Every 2 weeks
$15.81Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,405
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,369
- Medicare (1.45%)$554
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,882
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 | $25,160 |
| 25th percentile | $31,570 | $15.18 | $27,546 |
| Median (50th) | $38,210 | $18.37 | $32,882 |
| 75th percentile | $58,960 | $28.35 | $49,554 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,460 | $36.76 | $62,620 |
Barber salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77,430 | — | $57,357 | $64,310 – $103,800 | — |
| Illinois | $65,430 | +80.2% | $51,659 | $31,460 – $71,990 | — |
| Colorado | $61,500 | +8.5% | $49,598 | $33,130 – $81,060 | 480 |
| Washington | $61,150 | −13.6% | $51,314 | $52,540 – $76,480 | 1,220 |
| Iowa | $58,900 | −24.9% | $47,920 | $31,200 – $81,710 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $54,850 | +11.1% | $44,769 | $32,220 – $88,440 | — |
| Minnesota | $53,990 | +44.9% | $43,413 | $39,000 – $59,170 | 260 |
| Florida | $49,410 | +5.4% | $41,881 | $31,000 – $79,490 | 1,240 |
| North Dakota | $48,540 | +42.3% | $41,182 | $28,760 – $59,070 | 80 |
| Missouri | $47,880 | +7.9% | $39,339 | $36,710 – $80,950 | 580 |
| Virginia | $46,730 | +4.4% | $37,855 | $37,270 – $75,860 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $44,430 | −10.9% | $36,933 | $22,340 – $56,110 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $41,400 | +15.6% | $34,507 | $38,500 – $48,600 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $39,100 | — | $32,883 | $36,440 – $41,180 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $39,090 | — | $32,690 | $30,570 – $58,390 | — |
| New York | $38,580 | +20.4% | $31,693 | $35,430 – $63,180 | — |
| Mississippi | $38,480 | +59.6% | $32,291 | $26,290 – $42,870 | — |
| California | $38,380 | +4.9% | $31,995 | $35,900 – $69,530 | 1,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,920 | −13.3% | $30,712 | $30,410 – $46,700 | 530 |
| Wisconsin | $36,540 | +6.3% | $30,713 | $30,530 – $61,200 | 450 |
| Idaho | $36,040 | — | $30,336 | $21,880 – $59,590 | 130 |
| Michigan | $35,490 | +20.8% | $29,439 | $28,840 – $71,810 | — |
| Maryland | $35,400 | −23.9% | $29,306 | $32,720 – $58,510 | — |
| Maine | $35,300 | −3.2% | $29,288 | $30,470 – $74,930 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $34,900 | — | $29,530 | $34,480 – $63,230 | — |
| Oklahoma | $34,860 | +10.8% | $29,167 | $29,340 – $35,820 | 170 |
| Arizona | $34,380 | +4.7% | $29,154 | $31,950 – $37,440 | — |
| Indiana | $33,600 | −22.9% | $28,216 | $29,670 – $60,060 | 370 |
| South Carolina | $32,900 | −11.8% | $27,798 | $23,240 – $74,570 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $31,050 | −51.7% | $26,399 | $28,370 – $90,270 | 330 |
| Texas | $30,760 | −15.5% | $26,896 | $28,340 – $80,430 | 2,580 |
| Georgia | $30,750 | −35.4% | $25,915 | $27,950 – $78,710 | 550 |
| Alabama | $29,120 | +4.6% | $24,387 | $26,380 – $29,120 | — |
| Arkansas | $25,640 | +3.8% | $21,937 | $24,240 – $33,750 | 170 |
| Utah | $25,370 | +0.3% | $22,327 | $23,890 – $26,810 | 320 |
| Tennessee | $24,690 | −20.9% | $21,942 | $22,850 – $43,620 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% |
| Shampooer | $32,600 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +8.8% |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.1% |
| Motion Picture Projectionist | $38,270 | No formal educational credential | -6.2% |
| Tour and Travel Guide | $38,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
| Concierge | $38,950 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Baggage Porter and Bellhop | $37,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.0% |
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a barber make?
The national median salary for barbers is $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,600 and the top 10% earn over $76,460. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays barbers the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $77,430.
How many barbers are there in the U.S.?
About 15,000 people work as barbers nationwide.