39 Series · SOC 39-5011
Barbers Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $38,210
- Median / year
- -1.9%
- 2024→2025
- $76,460
- Top 10% earn
- +4.1%
- Growth '24–'34
- 15,000
- Estimated US jobs
Barbers earn a median of $38,210 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $38,210, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $28,600 (10th percentile) to $76,460 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 15,000 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is Oregon ($77,430).
The pay verdict
Barbers earn a median of $38,210, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 9% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Personal Care and Service, it ranks #16 of 32 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4.1% by 2034.
- $38,210
- Median annual wage
- Top 91%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #16 of 32
- in Personal Care and Service
- 2.7×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Oregon at $77,430. Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Barbers moved from $30,150 in May 2019 to $38,210 in May 2025 (+26.7%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Barbers sits +2.3 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Barbers (SOC 39-5011) has a national median of $38,210 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $28,600 to $76,460, and the published mean is $47,070. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 15,000 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 36 state or territory areas and 39 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $38,960 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $38,210 in May 2025, a fall of $750 (-1.9%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as about as fast as average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 8,400 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Postsecondary nondegree award as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Personal Care and Service Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Oregon pays the highest state median at $77,430, which is +103% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Colorado Springs, CO at $71,970. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$38,210
per year
Median Hourly
$18.37/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$47,070
average
Employment
15,000
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Barbers pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$38,210 Bottom 9% higher than 9% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 (this entry) | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$38,210 · 9th percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 39-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Barbers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Childcare Workers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -2.9%, Median annual wage $34980
- Amusement and Recrea…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $32150
- Recreation Workers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $36560
- Exercise Trainers an…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11.9%, Median annual wage $47160
- Hairdressers, Hairst…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.6%, Median annual wage $35790
- Animal Caretakers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.1%, Median annual wage $35360
- Manicurists and Pedi…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7%, Median annual wage $35760
- Ushers, Lobby Attend…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.2%, Median annual wage $32910
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.7%, Median annual wage $48590
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.3%, Median annual wage $48560
- Residential Advisors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.8%, Median annual wage $42240
- Gambling Dealers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -0.6%, Median annual wage $34320
- Skincare Specialists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.7%, Median annual wage $45330
- Personal Care and Se…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $41600
- Tour and Travel Guides: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.1%, Median annual wage $38120
- Concierges: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.3%, Median annual wage $38950
- Funeral Attendants: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.1%, Median annual wage $35680
- Baggage Porters and …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -1.6%, Median annual wage $37080
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2%, Median annual wage $63820
- Morticians, Undertak…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.1%, Median annual wage $55010
- Animal Trainers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.1%, Median annual wage $39990
- Locker Room, Coatroo…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $36300
- Barbers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $38210
- Gambling Service Wor…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -0.6%, Median annual wage $36310
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4.1%
About as fast as average
Annual Openings
8,400
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+3,100
76,000 (2024) → 79,200 (2034)
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Personal Care and Service Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
1.5/100K
Injury Rate
2/100
Danger Index
8.8/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Barbers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
- ▸ Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
- ▸ Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
- ▸ Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
- ▸ Clean work stations and sweep floors.
- ▸ Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
- ▸ Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
- ▸ Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
- ▸ Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
- ▸ Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Barbers pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $24,850 |
| 2016 | $25,760 |
| 2017 | $25,650 |
| 2018 | $27,960 |
| 2019 | $30,150 |
| 2020 | $32,470 |
| 2021 | $29,970 |
| 2022 | $34,990 |
| 2023 | $36,150 |
| 2024 | $38,960 |
| 2025 | $38,210 |
2015 median
$24,850
2025 median
$38,210
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$8,060 (+26.7%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+4%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $24,850 | First banked release | 14,350 |
| May 2016 | $25,760 | +3.7% | 15,900 |
| May 2017 | $25,650 | -0.4% | 18,810 |
| May 2018 | $27,960 | +9.0% | 20,130 |
| May 2019 | $30,150 | Classification break | 20,030 |
| May 2020 | $32,470 | +7.7% | 14,880 |
| May 2021 | $29,970 | -7.7% | 12,910 |
| May 2022 | $34,990 | +16.8% | 12,690 |
| May 2023 | $36,150 | +3.3% | 15,990 |
| May 2024 | $38,960 | +7.8% | 18,100 |
| May 2025 | $38,210 | -1.9% | 15,000 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $24,850 in May 2015 to $38,210 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +4% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 20,030 in May 2019 to 15,000 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 36 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $77,430 | +103% above national |
| 2 | Illinois | $65,430 | +71% above national |
| 3 | Colorado | $61,500 | +61% above national |
| 4 | Washington | $61,150 | +60% above national |
| 5 | Iowa | $58,900 | +54% above national |
| 6 | New Jersey | $54,850 | +44% above national |
| 7 | Minnesota | $53,990 | +41% above national |
| 8 | Florida | $49,410 | +29% above national |
| 9 | North Dakota | $48,540 | +27% above national |
| 10 | Missouri | $47,880 | +25% above national |
| 11 | Virginia | $46,730 | +22% above national |
| 12 | Louisiana | $44,430 | +16% above national |
| 13 | Connecticut | $41,400 | +8% above national |
| 14 | New Mexico | $39,100 | +2% above national |
| 15 | Nebraska | $39,090 | +2% above national |
| 16 | New York | $38,580 | +1% above national |
| 17 | Mississippi | $38,480 | +1% above national |
| 18 | California | $38,380 | same as national |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $36,920 | 3% below national |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $36,540 | 4% below national |
| 21 | Idaho | $36,040 | 6% below national |
| 22 | Michigan | $35,490 | 7% below national |
| 23 | Maryland | $35,400 | 7% below national |
| 24 | Maine | $35,300 | 8% below national |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $34,900 | 9% below national |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $34,860 | 9% below national |
| 27 | Arizona | $34,380 | 10% below national |
| 28 | Indiana | $33,600 | 12% below national |
| 29 | South Carolina | $32,900 | 14% below national |
| 30 | North Carolina | $31,050 | 19% below national |
| 31 | Texas | $30,760 | 19% below national |
| 32 | Georgia | $30,750 | 20% below national |
| 33 | Alabama | $29,120 | 24% below national |
| 34 | Arkansas | $25,640 | 33% below national |
| 35 | Utah | $25,370 | 34% below national |
| 36 | Tennessee | $24,690 | 35% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 38 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Springs, CO | $71,970 | +88% above national |
| 2 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,310 | +68% above national |
| 3 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $63,410 | +66% above national |
| 4 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $61,080 | +60% above national |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,960 | +52% above national |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $57,860 | +51% above national |
| 7 | Springfield, MO | $56,580 | +48% above national |
| 8 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $55,890 | +46% above national |
| 9 | Tallahassee, FL | $54,750 | +43% above national |
| 10 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,700 | +30% above national |
| 11 | Fargo, ND-MN | $48,810 | +28% above national |
| 12 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $48,780 | +28% above national |
| 13 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $47,380 | +24% above national |
| 14 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,650 | +14% above national |
| 15 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $43,020 | +13% above national |
| 16 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $42,210 | +10% above national |
| 17 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,000 | +2% above national |
| 18 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $38,630 | +1% above national |
| 19 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $38,580 | +1% above national |
| 20 | Jackson, MS | $38,480 | +1% above national |
| 21 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,680 | 1% below national |
| 22 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,530 | 2% below national |
| 23 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $36,300 | 5% below national |
| 24 | Tyler, TX | $36,060 | 6% below national |
| 25 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $35,890 | 6% below national |
| 26 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,490 | 7% below national |
| 27 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,370 | 7% below national |
| 28 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $34,900 | 9% below national |
| 29 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $33,570 | 12% below national |
| 30 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $33,000 | 14% below national |
| 31 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $32,770 | 14% below national |
| 32 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 18% below national |
| 33 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,990 | 19% below national |
| 34 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $30,750 | 20% below national |
| 35 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $30,690 | 20% below national |
| 36 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $29,090 | 24% below national |
| 37 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $26,330 | 31% below national |
| 38 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $24,460 | 36% below national |
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 39 (Personal Care and Service Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
SOC 39-3091
Animal Caretakers
SOC 39-2021
Animal Trainers
SOC 39-2011
Baggage Porters and Bellhops
SOC 39-6011
Childcare Workers
SOC 39-9011
Showing 5 of 31 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Personal Care and Service Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($38,210 here) and reported employment (15,000 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Barbers make? ▼
Where does Barbers pay rank nationally? ▼
What state pays Barbers the most? ▼
What education do Barbers need? ▼
Does BLS publish a safety rate for Barbers? ▼
Is Barbers a good career? ▼
How does Barbers pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Barbers? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Barbers pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $58,960/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Oregon leads at $77,430/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.