Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Barber

Cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair. May also shave and trim beards. Provide grooming advice and maintain sanitary work areas.

$38,960/yr median

$27,770$78,440

Faster Than AvgModerateUnion: LowEntry: Moderate

Training Path

State-approved barber program (~1,500 hours) + state licensure

Environment

Indoor

Outlook

Faster Than Avg (+5%)

BLS Code

39-5011

Pros

✓Relatively fast training — most barber programs require around 1,000-1,500 hours of instruction (roughly 9-18 months depending on the state), and you can start earning immediately after getting licensed.
✓Strong earning potential when you factor in tips — while the median base hourly rate is around $18.70, tips can add 20-50% or more to your take-home pay, and experienced barbers in busy shops can earn $50,000-$80,000+ annually.
✓High demand and cultural staying power — people always need haircuts, barbershops are social institutions in many communities, and the profession has experienced a significant cultural resurgence in recent years.
✓Clear path to business ownership — many barbers eventually rent a chair or open their own shop, giving you control over your schedule, prices, and income. The startup costs for a barbershop are relatively modest compared to many businesses.
✓Creative and social work — every client is a conversation and a chance to use your artistic skills. If you enjoy talking with people and taking pride in detailed craftsmanship, barbering delivers that daily.
✓Portable skills that work everywhere — your license may need to transfer between states, but the fundamental skills go with you wherever you move.

Cons

✗Income is inconsistent, especially when starting out. You depend on building a clientele, and slow weeks mean thin paychecks. It can take 1-2 years to build a steady client base that provides reliable income.
✗You are on your feet all day — 8-10 hours of standing, reaching, and making precise movements. Varicose veins, back pain, and shoulder problems are common occupational issues for long-career barbers.
✗Benefits are typically nonexistent unless you work for a larger chain. Most barbers are self-employed or rent a chair, which means no employer-provided health insurance, retirement plan, or paid time off. You have to handle all of that yourself.
✗Chemical exposure to hair products, sanitizing agents, and hair dust is constant. Some barbers develop skin sensitivities or respiratory issues over time from repeated exposure.
✗Building a clientele from zero is daunting. When you are new, you may sit in your chair for hours between clients. The social media marketing and self-promotion required to build your book of business does not come naturally to everyone.

What the Life Is Like

A barber's day revolves around clients — walk-ins and appointments depending on the shop's model. You typically work in a barbershop or men's grooming salon, standing at your station with your tools: clippers, shears, razors, combs, and product. Each haircut takes 20-45 minutes depending on the style, and a busy barber may do 10-20 cuts per day. Between cuts, you sweep up, sanitize tools, and reset your station. The work is a blend of technical precision and social interaction — your clients come for the haircut but stay for the conversation.

Hours vary but typically include at least one weekend day, since that is when many working people get their hair cut. Some barbers work Tuesday through Saturday, others have more flexible schedules. In a busy shop, you are moving nonstop from open to close. The culture in barbershops ranges from old-school traditional to modern and trendy, but the common thread is community. Barbershops have historically been gathering places, especially in Black and Latino communities, and that social function remains strong.

The physical demands are specific but real. You stand for your entire shift, your arms are raised and in motion constantly, and the repetitive hand motions with clippers and shears can lead to carpal tunnel and wrist issues over time. Good footwear, an anti-fatigue mat at your station, and stretching matter more than most new barbers realize. The financial reality is that you are essentially running a small business even if you do not own the shop — managing your schedule, building client relationships, tracking your income, and handling your own taxes (most barbers are independent contractors or booth renters).

How to Get Started

Research your state's barber licensing requirements

Every state has different requirements for barber licensing — typically 1,000-1,500 hours of training at a licensed barber school. Some states have separate barber and cosmetology licenses; others combine them. Check with your state board of barbering for exact requirements, costs, and approved schools.

Enroll in and complete a barber school program

Barber schools teach haircutting, shaving, beard trimming, scalp treatments, sanitation, and business basics. Programs typically run 9-18 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Tuition ranges from $5,000-$20,000. Financial aid, Pell Grants, and workforce development programs may be available. Choose a school with a good reputation and ideally one that helps with job placement.

Pass your state licensing exam

Most states require both a written exam (covering sanitation, safety, anatomy, and barbering theory) and a practical exam (demonstrating haircuts, shaves, and techniques on a mannequin or model). Study seriously and practice your practical skills — failing means retaking the exam at additional cost.

Start cutting in a barbershop

Your first position will likely be at an established barbershop, either as an employee or renting a chair. Employee positions offer more stability (hourly wage plus tips) while chair rentals give more independence but require you to bring your own clients. Start wherever gets you cutting hair and building experience. Speed, consistency, and client relationships are what you are developing.

Build your clientele and brand

Use social media (especially Instagram) to showcase your work. Before-and-after photos of your best cuts are your portfolio. Be reliable — showing up on time and being consistent is how you build a loyal client base. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing in barbering. As your chair stays full, you gain leverage to negotiate better commission splits or higher booth rental terms.

Plan for business ownership or specialization

Many barbers aim to eventually open their own shop or rent a prime chair at a high-end establishment. Start saving for this while building your clientele. Some barbers specialize in areas like men's grooming and skin fades, straight razor shaves, or hair replacement systems, which command premium prices. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers resources and sometimes microloans for barbershop startups.

Felony Record & Licensing

Varies by State

Some states (e.g., Georgia) restrict barber licenses for felons. Many states have recently reformed these rules. Check your state board.

Check your state's licensing board before enrolling in a program. Rules vary significantly.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026