To become a barber in the US, you graduate from a state-approved barber program and then pass your state's licensing exam, which includes a written test and, in some states, a practical test or oral exam. Every state requires barbers to be licensed, and most also set a minimum age and may ask for a high school diploma.
You don't need a degree, and you'll be cutting hair as part of your training. The figure that surprises people is how many barbers work for themselves: 80 in every 100.
The facts here come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, read on 26 October 2026.
Barber pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay for barbers (May 2025) | $18.37 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $13.75 an hour |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $36.76 an hour |
| Barber jobs in 2025 | 75,800 |
| Projected growth for barbers 2025 to 2035 | 3% |
| Openings each year, barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | About 80,300 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026 and include tips, which BLS counts in the wage data.
The route in, step by step
- Check your state's rules on minimum age and whether you need a high school diploma to enrol.
- Enrol on a state-approved barber program. Programs mix classroom study with hands-on training and lead to a certificate.
- Complete any health and safety training your state builds into the program.
- Pass the state licensing exam: a written test, plus a practical test or oral exam in some states. A fee usually applies to the license application.
- Keep your license current. Some states require continuing education when you renew.
The two facts that can save you time
First, training can cross over. In many states, cosmetology training can be credited toward a barbering license, or the other way round, and a few states combine the two licenses.
Second, your license can sometimes move. State reciprocity agreements may let a licensed barber get a license in another state without more formal training or another state board test. It's worth asking your state agency before you train if there's a chance you'll relocate.
Barber or cosmetologist: how they compare
| Barbers | Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay, May 2025 | $18.37 an hour | $17.21 an hour |
| Jobs in 2025 | 75,800 | 595,000 |
| Self-employed | 80 in every 100 | 48 in every 100 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 3% | 8% |
Barbers earned a little more per hour, as of October 2026, but cosmetology is the bigger and faster-growing field. If you're unsure, a state where cosmetology hours count toward a barber license gives you room to switch.
What the job is like
- Standing for most of your shift, so stamina matters.
- Working mostly in barbershops, with some barbers in spas, hotels or resorts.
- Evenings and weekends, when shops are busiest.
- Some barbers lease a booth from a shop owner, and others open their own shop after a few years' experience.
If you plan to run your own chair or shop, our guide to barber shop software covers booking and payments, and these ChatGPT prompts for barbers help with posts and client messages.
Is it a good trade to get into now?
BLS projects 3% growth for barbers from 2025 to 2035 and 7% for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists overall. Demand comes mainly from basic hair care, which doesn't go away. With about 80,300 openings a year across the group, there's steady room for new licensed barbers.
How to choose a barber program
Not every course leads to a license, so check these before you pay a deposit:
- Is the program approved by your state? Only state-approved programs count toward the license.
- Does it prepare you for both parts of the exam, written and practical, if your state has a practical test?
- Does it include the health and safety training your state asks for?
- How much time do you spend cutting hair on real clients rather than in the classroom?
- If you might switch to cosmetology later, will your hours count toward that license in your state?
A program that answers yes to the first three gets you to the exam. The last two decide how flexible your career is afterwards. It's also worth asking the school how many of its graduates pass the state exam first time, because that tells you how well it prepares people for the test.
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Building a client base after you qualify
Because most barbers work for themselves, your income depends on regulars. Shops are busiest in the evenings and at weekends, so being available then is the fastest way to fill your chair as a new barber. Booth rental is a common next step: you lease a chair from a shop owner and keep your own clients, before deciding whether to open a shop of your own. Advanced courses help too, since BLS says barbers keep taking them to stay current with trends, and anyone planning their own shop can benefit from sales and marketing courses.
My verdict
Barbering is a licensed trade you can get into without a degree: a state-approved program and a state exam. The median of $18.37 an hour is modest, so the real upside comes from building regulars and working for yourself, which 80 in every 100 barbers already do. Before you enrol, check whether your state credits cosmetology hours toward a barber license, and ask about reciprocity if you might move.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a barber?
It depends on your state's approved barber program. You complete the program and then pass the state licensing exam.
Do you need a license to be a barber?
Yes. All states require barbers to be licensed, usually after a state-approved program and a state exam.
What's on the barber licensing exam?
A written test and, in some states, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.
Can cosmetology training count toward a barber license?
In many states, yes. Cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license or the other way round, and a few states combine the two.
How much do barbers make?
BLS reports a median of $18.37 an hour for barbers in May 2025, including tips, as of October 2026.
Are most barbers self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed workers make up 80 in every 100 barber jobs, according to BLS.
