Shop & chair rental
Barber
A chair, a clipper and a book of regulars.
Typical pay
$35k-$90k
How you get in
Barber school plus state license, 9-15 months
Outlook
Steady; strong in urban areas
Steady openings
41/100A normal flow of openings each year, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Barbers. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
Barbers cut and style hair, often renting a chair and effectively running their own business. Income scales with your book, not your hours.
A day in the life
9:00a – 7:00p · 10 hours
- 9:00aOpen the shop, sanitize tools
- 9:30aFirst cut, a regular client
- 12:00pWalk-ins fill the gaps
- 2:00pLunch between appointments
- 3:00pAfter-school rush
- 7:00pSweep, restock, count out
How to get in
Barber school
Duration
9-15 months
Cost
$6,000-$20,000
Credential
State barber license
- Enroll in a licensed barber school
- Complete the hours your state requires — usually 1,000 to 1,500
- Pass the written and practical state board exams
- Rent a chair or take a commission seat and start building a book
Apprenticeship under a licensed barber
Duration
1-2 years
Cost
$0-$3,000, and you may earn while training
Credential
State barber license
- Find a licensed barber willing to take a registered apprentice — not legal in every state
- Register the apprenticeship with your state board
- Log the required hours in the shop
- Sit for the same state board exams
What people love
- · Own your schedule and your book
- · Cash flow from day one
- · Community hub work
What wears people down
- · Income depends on your clientele
- · Standing all day
- · No benefits if self-employed