31 Aug How Much Do Barbers Make
Becoming a barber is a highly rewarding career in many ways, from joining a stable job market to helping other people. One of the perks you might not realize comes with barbering, however, is a high barber salary. Barbering might not appear as prestigious as becoming a doctor or a lawyer, but in reality, it’s just as rewarding a profession. Barbers can make a great living, create their own schedules, and become thriving entrepreneurs. Here’s a breakdown of the job opportunities and salary expectations a professional barber can look forward to in 2018.
What Does It Take to Become a Barber?
Before diving right into the returns of barbering, one must understand the investment it takes to become a barber. Not just anyone can apply for these jobs. Attending and completing barber school is necessary if you want to start making a barber’s salary. Barbers in all 50 states need specific educations and valid barbering licenses to practice in barbershops. The education requirements vary by state, but in most cases you need at least 1,500 hours of education before taking the license exam.
Barbering isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain amount of passion, commitment, and creativity. If you think it’s the right career for you, however, you’ll be happy to know that there are a range of flexible education options to fit every schedule. Finding the right barber school can make a big difference in your experience, skill, knowledge, network, and even job opportunities and future salary. Partner with a trusted school to get your career started on the right foot.
The costs of barber school will depend on the educational program you choose. Purchasing your supplies, attending barber school, and getting your license takes an initial investment, but you can more than make up these costs throughout your barbering career – especially if you qualify for financial aid. Don’t let the cost of school discourage you from becoming a barber. The money you can make in this career far outweighs the price of barber school.
Average Working Wage of a Barber
According to national occupational employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean hourly wage of a professional barber is $14.65. Barbers in the 90th percentile of this profession make a mean hourly wage of $23.31. The mean annual wage of a barber is $30,480. Barbers in the 75-90th percentile can make between $37,490-$48,480 annual salary. The average hourly and annual wages of barbering vary, however, according to your location and position. A barber’s mean wages in different parts of the country are as follows:
- Hourly: $16.34. Annual: $34,000.
- New Jersey. Hourly: $13.68. Annual: $28,450.
- New York. Hourly: $13.07. Annual: $27,200.
- Hourly: $11.92. Annual: $24,790.
- Hourly: $15.55. Annual: $32,330.
Keep in mind these averages were as of the last BLS report on barbering, in May 2017. Wage amounts can go up and down year over year. The boom in the barbering industry points toward an increase in barbers’ salaries rather than decreases. Barbers are in higher demand than they have been in the last 10 years due to a hotter market. Regardless of how the market is doing, you can ensure more impressive earnings as a barber by furthering your education and becoming a successful Master Barber.
Exceptional Opportunities for Salary Growth
The mean wages of a barber do not have to represent what you make. You can become a top-earning barber by achieving the status of Master Barber. With hard work and dedication, you can make $70,000 or more per year. Master Barbers perform many of the same tasks as other barbers, but they have more education, training, and experience – permitting them to ask for higher pay. Master Barbers learn how to relax hair, do permanent waves, and a variety of other special services on top of basic barbering techniques.
It takes years of experience to build your status to that of Master Barber. Once you’ve earned this distinction, you can boost your salary. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary as a Master Barber hovers around $45,822 per year. Master Barbers make the most money on average in New York ($52,878/year) and the least in Florida ($38,737/year). Some Master Barbers make upward of $68,000 or more per year. Earning the high end of a Master Barber’s salary takes years of experience and continuing barbering education.
Is It Worth It to Start Your Own Barbershop?
The numbers listed above for barber salaries don’t include benefits or bonuses an employer might provide, as well as tip money from clients. Bonuses and benefits are attractive reasons to stay employed at a barbershop rather than start your own. However, many barbers have found great happiness and success in becoming entrepreneurs and creating their own shops. The average salary of a barbershop owner is around $30,000. Owning your own place can come with benefits besides more money, such as total job control and flexibility.
Being a barber as an employee or owner can come with scheduling flexibility that allows barbers to pursue other hobbies, jobs, and/or projects. This can mean better income opportunities by doing something else on the side of barbering. Being a barber is a fun, flexible, and rewarding career that can provide an excellent work-life balance compared to standard nine-to-five positions. If you’re looking for a sizable salary, ample job opportunities, career stability, and the possibility of moving up, barbering could be your ideal job.
The Forecast Is Bright for Barbers of the Future
Barbers have a unique opportunity right now to capitalize on a booming marketplace and position themselves for a profitable future. Barbering and men’s grooming are becoming more and more popular markets – driving up the demand for licensed and experienced barbers around the country. As the barber industry continues to boom (forecasts say the market will surpass $26 billion by 2020), now is the time to start your career.
A master barber’s salary has room to grow even beyond current expectations in today’s hot market. Social media, the fast spread of new hairstyle trends, and the prosperous men’s grooming industry all set the stage for a flourishing career in barbering for years to come. If you’re interested in starting a career that could earn you a position in the upper-income bracket, consider becoming a barber. Join The Barber School today to get your license and start working your way toward an impressive salary.
Sources:
http://successfulbarber.com/how-barbers-can-earn-over-70000year-part-1/
https://careertrend.com/much-can-master-barber-earn-yearly-8043.html
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/409860/united-states-barber-shops-revenue-forecast-naics-812111