Barber salary

Barbers in the U.S. earn a median $38,210 a year.

Median pay
$38,210
Median hourly
$18.37
Typical range
$28,600–$76,460
Jobs
15,000

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for barbers in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$28,600
25th$31,570
Median$38,210
75th$58,960
90th (top earners)$76,460

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$33,000790
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$30,690630
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$37,680470
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX$32,770400
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$30,750360
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$29,090350
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$36,300340
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$37,530340
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$61,080290
St. Louis, MO-IL$57,960260

Barber salary by state

  1. 1Oregon$77,430
  2. 2Illinois$65,430
  3. 3Colorado$61,500
  4. 4Washington$61,150
  5. 5Iowa$58,900
  6. 6New Jersey$54,850
  7. 7Minnesota$53,990
  8. 8Florida$49,410
  9. 9North Dakota$48,540
  10. 10Missouri$47,880
  11. 11Virginia$46,730
  12. 12Louisiana$44,430
  13. 13Connecticut$41,400
  14. 14New Mexico$39,100
  15. 15Nebraska$39,090
  16. 16New York$38,580
  17. 17Mississippi$38,480
  18. 18California$38,380
  19. 19Pennsylvania$36,920
  20. 20Wisconsin$36,540
  21. 21Idaho$36,040
  22. 22Michigan$35,490
  23. 23Maryland$35,400
  24. 24Maine$35,300
  25. 25Rhode Island$34,900
  26. 26Oklahoma$34,860
  27. 27Arizona$34,380
  28. 28Indiana$33,600
  29. 29South Carolina$32,900
  30. 30North Carolina$31,050
  31. 31Texas$30,760
  32. 32Georgia$30,750
  33. 33Alabama$29,120
  34. 34Arkansas$25,640
  35. 35Utah$25,370
  36. 36Tennessee$24,690

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

Barber schoolsHow to become a barber

Frequently asked questions

How much do barbers make?

The median pay for barbers in the U.S. is $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,600, and the top 10% earn over $76,460.

Which states pay barbers the most?

The top-paying states are Oregon ($77,430), Illinois ($65,430), Colorado ($61,500), Washington ($61,150), Iowa ($58,900).

How can a barber earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a barber covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Barbers, SOC 39-5011). Figures exclude self-employed workers.