Barbers

Incomes vary widely depending on a barber's experience, the location of the shop, the number of hours worked, tipping habits of the clientele, and whether or not a barber owns the business. The personality and initiative of a barber also impacts the ability to draw a loyal following. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that, in May 2023, the median annual income for full-time, salaried barbers, including tips, was $36,150. The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $61,090 per year, while the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $26,770 annually. Fifty percent of barbers earned between $30,130 and $49,220. Many established barbers and barber/owners earn incomes that well exceed the median.

One of the most frequently cited downsides to being a barber is a lack of benefits, particularly where there are no unions. Many barbers cannot get group insurance, and the cost of individual policies can be high. Also, since most barbers are either self-employed or working for small shops, benefits such as retirement plans, paid vacations, sick days, and so forth are often the exception to the rule.