A Career as a Barber

If you like working with people and you’re interested in cosmetology, you may want to consider barbering school. A career as a barber puts you in charge of the appearance of your clients (generally men). Your typical day can include everything from shampooing your clients to giving a warm shave.

Job Description

In the United States, you need to be licensed before you can begin working as a barber. In some states, barbers are licensed to color the hair, and some barbers even provide skin or nail treatments. However, most barbers perform the following services:

• Facial Shaving: Swanky men’s shaving destinations are popping up in major cities. Barbers can provide relaxing facial shaves, complete with warm gel and skin assessment.
  
• Styling: Many barbers style client’s hair and offer suggestions for hair products to use.
  
• Trimming: Barbers are trained to cut hair and can also provide mustache trims.

As a barber, you may have to work on weekends--in fact, Saturdays may be your busiest day. You may also have longer hours than a normal 9-to-5 job, as your clients may want to come in during the evening after work.

Salary Guide

Like most other careers, barbers earn more money as they gain more experience. Where you work and how many clients you have will determine how much money you make. According to a 2008 study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage (including tips) for a barber is $11.56. The top 10 percent of barbers earned $19.51 an hour.

Education, Training and Work Experience

A state license is required for barbers to practice in the US. To qualify for a license, you’ll have to choose from the different schools available: beauty schools, cosmetology schools and specialized barber schools, most of which will have the necessary programs available. A full-time program will usually last nine months, but some barbers take advanced courses to keep up on trends.

Some barber schools offer components of their curriculum online. However, to obtain a barbering license, you’ll have to complete some on-site training in order to learn how to cut hair and work with clients.

Career Advancement

After attending barbering school, you’ll most likely work as an apprentice to gain additional knowledge and build your clientele. Once you’ve gained a clientele working at a salon or barbershop, you may wish to advance your career by managing a salon, teaching at a cosmetology school or even opening your own barbershop, salon or barbering school.

Related Associations and Groups

For more information about a career as a barber, consider joining one of the below groups or contacting one for more information:

• Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals
• National Association of Barber Boards of America
• National Cosmetology Association.