How Much Does a Barber Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$38,210
Barbers in the U.S. earn a median of $38,210 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Half of barbers earn more than $38,210 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $76,460.
Pay percentiles for barbers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.75 | $28,600 |
| 25th | $15.18 | $31,570 |
| 50th (median) | $18.37 | $38,210 |
| 75th | $28.35 | $58,960 |
| 90th | $36.76 | $76,460 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Barbers (SOC 39-5011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for barbers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77,430 | $37.22 | +103% |
| Illinois | $65,430 | $31.46 | +71% |
| Colorado | $61,500 | $29.57 | +61% |
| Washington | $61,150 | $29.40 | +60% |
| Iowa | $58,900 | $28.32 | +54% |
| New Jersey | $54,850 | $26.37 | +44% |
| Minnesota | $53,990 | $25.96 | +41% |
| Florida | $49,410 | $23.76 | +29% |
| North Dakota | $48,540 | $23.34 | +27% |
| Missouri | $47,880 | $23.02 | +25% |
| United States | $38,210 | $18.37 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many barbers are there?
BLS counts about 15,000 barbers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Texas (2,580), California (1,390) and Florida (1,240).
The mean (average) annual wage is $47,070, higher than the median of $38,210.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,184
- Biweekly
- $1,470
- Weekly
- $735
- Daily (8 hours)
- $147
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do barbers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for barbers is $18.37. The middle 50% earn between $15.18 and $28.35 an hour.
Which state pays barbers the most?
Oregon has the highest median wage for barbers at $77,430, +103% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for barbers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of barbers earn less than $28,600 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.