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Barber salary
Average barber salary
$40,305
Barber Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a barber in the United States is approximately $40,305 per year. This average can fluctuate significantly based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific salon or barbershop environment. For instance, barbers located in metropolitan areas or upscale salons often report higher earnings compared to those in smaller towns.
Salary by State
Barbers can expect different salaries depending on the state they work in. For example:
- California: $52,000
- Texas: $38,000
- New York: $45,000
Barbers in California typically earn the highest salaries, influenced by the cost of living and demand for hairstyling services. Meanwhile, barbers in Texas may earn less, but the cost of living is also lower.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Barbers can improve their earning potential by specializing in certain techniques or products, gaining additional certifications, or becoming shop owners. Networking and building a loyal clientele can also lead to increased tips and commissions, further enhancing overall earnings.
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Where can a Barber earn more?
Barber salary estimates from across the web
Average barber salary by state
The average barber salary in Washington, Maine, and Illinois are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average barber salary states are Nevada, South Carolina, and Utah.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for barbers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $49,408 | $23.75 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $45,027 | $21.65 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $48,238 | $23.19 |
| 4 | Washington | $54,813 | $26.35 |
| 5 | Ohio | $43,111 | $20.73 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $46,379 | $22.30 |
| 7 | Vermont | $45,871 | $22.05 |
| 8 | Colorado | $43,988 | $21.15 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $42,289 | $20.33 |
| 10 | Maine | $50,004 | $24.04 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $47,805 | $22.98 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $46,656 | $22.43 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $46,852 | $22.52 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $45,904 | $22.07 |
| 15 | Alabama | $39,378 | $18.93 |
| 16 | Kansas | $42,535 | $20.45 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $40,262 | $19.36 |
| 18 | New York | $44,641 | $21.46 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $39,983 | $19.22 |
| 20 | Indiana | $37,484 | $18.02 |
| 21 | California | $44,897 | $21.59 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $41,417 | $19.91 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $40,451 | $19.45 |
| 24 | Michigan | $37,832 | $18.19 |
| 25 | Oregon | $42,706 | $20.53 |
| 26 | Maryland | $42,321 | $20.35 |
| 27 | Idaho | $38,663 | $18.59 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $38,198 | $18.36 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $41,311 | $19.86 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $35,532 | $17.08 |
| 31 | Florida | $36,601 | $17.60 |
| 32 | Missouri | $38,503 | $18.51 |
| 33 | Virginia | $36,281 | $17.44 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $36,842 | $17.71 |
| 36 | Montana | $37,606 | $18.08 |
| 37 | Texas | $35,129 | $16.89 |
| 38 | Arizona | $35,755 | $17.19 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $35,443 | $17.04 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $33,797 | $16.25 |
| 41 | Iowa | $35,064 | $16.86 |
| 42 | Delaware | $33,913 | $16.30 |
| 43 | Alaska | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $37,454 | $18.01 |
| 45 | Nevada | $33,329 | $16.02 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $33,770 | $16.24 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $32,561 | $15.65 |
| 48 | Georgia | $27,283 | $13.12 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $29,774 | $14.31 |
| 50 | Utah | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $29,539 | $14.20 |
Highest paying cities for barbers
The highest-paying cities for barbers are Chicago, IL, Saint Paul, MN, and Glendale, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $49,482 | $23.79 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $48,164 | $23.16 |
| 3 | Glendale, CA | $44,627 | $21.46 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $44,087 | $21.20 |
| 5 | Kansas City, KS | $43,093 | $20.72 |
| 6 | Columbia, MD | $42,358 | $20.36 |
| 7 | Madison, WI | $41,405 | $19.91 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $40,607 | $19.52 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh, PA | $40,126 | $19.29 |
| 10 | Mobile, AL | $39,676 | $19.07 |
| 11 | Columbia, MO | $38,754 | $18.63 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $38,471 | $18.50 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $37,313 | $17.94 |
| 14 | Fredericksburg, VA | $36,765 | $17.68 |
| 15 | Winter Garden, FL | $36,668 | $17.63 |
| 16 | Glendale, AZ | $35,834 | $17.23 |
| 17 | El Paso, TX | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 18 | Knoxville, TN | $35,775 | $17.20 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $33,164 | $15.94 |
| 20 | Columbia, SC | $32,607 | $15.68 |
Barber salary details
A barber's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a barber's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $40,305 | $3,359 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
Highest paying barber jobs
The highest paying types of barbers are master barber, barber apprentice, and barber shop operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Cosmetologist | $36,637 | $3,053 | $17.61 | 52,740 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,122 | $3,094 | $17.85 | 45,889 |
Top companies hiring barbers now:
Which companies pay barbers the most?
Barber salaries at Life Care Centers of America and Texas are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average barber salary at companies like Ivy Tech Community College and Gulf Coast Trade Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Care Centers of America | $48,457 | $23.30 |
| 2 | Texas | $41,086 | $19.75 |
| 3 | Ivy Tech Community College | $40,264 | $19.36 |
| 4 | Gulf Coast Trade Center | $39,802 | $19.14 |
| 5 | State of Arizona | $39,095 | $18.80 |
| 6 | Pearson | $38,712 | $18.61 |
| 7 | Salon & Spa | $38,201 | $18.37 |
| 8 | Sea Island | $38,196 | $18.36 |
| 9 | B & B Co. | $38,168 | $18.35 |
| 10 | Colorado State Express | $38,141 | $18.34 |
| 11 | The Gents Place | $38,118 | $18.33 |
| 12 | Consulate Health Care | $37,724 | $18.14 |
| 13 | Douglas J Aveda Institutes & Salons | $37,267 | $17.92 |
| 14 | NEX | $36,725 | $17.66 |
| 15 | Colorado Department of Transportation | $36,098 | $17.35 |
| 16 | The GEO Group | $36,078 | $17.35 |
| 17 | Great Clips | $35,896 | $17.26 |
| 18 | CAPMC | $35,877 | $17.25 |
| 19 | MGM Resorts International | $35,522 | $17.08 |
| 20 | Hersha Hospitality | $35,477 | $17.06 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Barber salary by industry
The average barber salary varies across industries:
- The average barber salary in the professional industry is $38,348, the highest of any industry.
- The average barber salary in the finance industry is $37,883.
- Barbers in the media industry earn an average salary of $36,234, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for barbers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional | $38,348 | $18.44 |
| 2 | Technology | $37,883 | $18.21 |
| 3 | Telecommunication | $37,558 | $18.06 |
| 4 | Retail | $36,481 | $17.54 |
| 5 | Hospitality | $36,333 | $17.47 |
| 6 | Media | $36,234 | $17.42 |
High paying barber jobs
Barber salary trends
The average barber salary has risen by $10,278 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average barber earned $30,027 annually, but today, they earn $40,305 a year. That works out to a 26% change in pay for barbers over the last decade.
Compare barber salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average barber salary over time
Compare barber salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Barber salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,300 | $19.38 | +7.1% |
| 2024 | $37,400 | $17.99 | +7.3% |
| 2023 | $34,700 | $16.69 | +8.3% |
| 2022 | $31,800 | $15.31 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | $32,000 | $15.37 | +3.5% |
Recently added barber salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Barber Instructor-Remote | WFH | Las Vegas, NV | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| State of Louisiana | Barber (WAE) | Noble, LA | 06/27/2025 | $23,820 |
| Supercuts | Hairstylist/Barber | Nashua, NH | 06/26/2025 | $62,610 |
| Regis Haircare Corporation | Hairstylist/Barber | Nashua, NH | 06/26/2025 | $62,610 |
| Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop | Barber/Cosmetologist | Gilbert, AZ | 06/25/2025 | $73,045 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Barber Instructor | Kokomo, IN | 06/11/2025 | $48,000 |
| Tonsorium Parlor | Barber Stylist | Hoboken, NJ | 06/11/2025 | $50,000 |
| Heads Up Haircutting | Hairstylist or Barber | Bridgewater, NJ | 06/10/2025 | $20,870 |
| Sport Clips HK Enterprise LLC | Sport Clips ST. Charles IS Full Stylists/Barbers | Saint Charles, MO | 06/10/2025 | $41,740 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Barber Instructor-Remote | WFH | San Antonio, TX | 06/10/2025 | $41,740 |
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