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Barber Job Opportunities: Is barbering a good choice?

August 4, 2022

Written by TrimCheck

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young barber cutting hair

Do you have a passion for barbering? That’s great news because passion is a vital motivating factor for success. Being devoted to your career will help you enjoy your work and perform exceptionally. When you love your work,  you’re likely to learn faster, make better career decisions, and reduce your risk of mistakes.

However, merely having a passion for your job isn’t enough. Before choosing a career path, you must define your career goals and ensure that your job choice meets your objectives. In other words, it’s crucial to understand whether your career prospects match your dreams. That’s how to avoid disappointment in the long term.

If you’re looking forward to some guidance on job opportunities in barbering, this article is for you.

barber job

1.1 What’s a Barber’s Job Description? 

A barber (also called a hair stylist) is responsible for caring for the hair on a client’s head and facial hair. As an experienced barber, most of your customers will be males, and your services will typically include:

  • Welcoming clients and assessing their haircut or styling preferences (you may also suggest hairstyles to them)
  • Trimming and cutting hair to meet customers’ specifications
  • Using various styling tools, chemical solutions, and techniques to achieve the client’s desired results 
  • Grooming customers’ beards by trimming or shaving them
  • Hair conditioning and washing, and many more 

1.2 Are There Benefits To Becoming A Barber?

There are many advantages to becoming a barber, and they include:

  • You Can Be Your Boss 

Only a few jobs can give you as much flexibility as barbering does. You can work full-time or part-time and work on your terms if you decide to become a barber.

  • Barbers Take Their Jobs With Them

A barber career offers you zero geographical restrictions. If you love to travel and explore, you can take up jobs in various locations and kill two birds with one stone.

  • Job Security

Did you know that the barbering employment rate is one of the fastest-growing? BLS projects a 19% employment growth from 2020 to 2030. So, if you’re worried about job security or demand, don’t; barbering isn’t fading away anytime soon.

  • Barbering Keeps You Creative 

As a talented barber, you can explore and channel your creativity by creating new styles daily. That’s amazing.

TrimCheck barber job

2.1 Is Barbering A Good Career Choice?

Any career choice can be good or bad, depending on who you ask. Everyone has unique goals, qualities, values, and objectives that should shape their career path. So, your career is only as good as how well they fit into your life goals.

If you’re looking for salary, job opportunities, or career prospects, you’ll find your answer in subsequent paragraphs.

2.2 How Much Does a Licensed Barber Earn? 

As of May 2021, half of the barbers earned more than $14.41, and the other half received more than the amount annually. Meanwhile, the top 10% of the highest-earning barbers received above $25.60 an hour. The least paid barbers had an hourly wage below $10.79. 

Generally, half of the barbers in personal care services earn above and below $14.37  every hour. Many experienced stylists get tips from clients for their exceptional customer service.

2.3 What Career Options/Opportunities Does A Barber Job Provide?  

Barber jobs are one of the most highly needed in the beauty industry. As such, there are numerous career options for barbers, depending on their preferences. 

A licensed barber can work in these categories:

  • Self-Employment 

You can start your business by owning and running your barbershop. If you wish, you may also decide to rent a salon booth or work at your home. Being self-employed allows you to fix your work schedules.

  • Personal Care Services 

Experienced stylists or barbers can work as personal care service providers. If you decide to work in this line, you can give haircuts and other barber services to prison inmates, military personnel, and hospitalized patients. You may also work in spas, hotels, cruise ships, and resorts.

  • Freelancing 

If you don’t want to own your barbershop or work full-time at an establishment, you can opt for freelancing. Freelance barbers are typically available for short-term barber jobs for weddings, theatre productions, TV commercials shooting, etc.

  • Others 

You can combine your barbering job with some other activity or skill you have. For example, you can be a barber-tattooist by offering tattooing services or a barber-aromatherapist by selling fragrance oils in your barber shop. You may also take up a teaching career in a barbing school.

barbering equipment

3.1 What Educational Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Barber?

These are the qualifications you need to become a licensed barber:

  • High School Diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Certificate

You must complete high school or obtain a GED certification to become a barber. 

  • State’s Barber License 

After obtaining their high school diploma or GED,  candidates who wish to become barbers must get a barber’s license. 

3.2 Do Barbers Need Soft Skills? 

Barbering skills go beyond formal training and certification. If you wish to impress your employers or succeed in your barber career, you should also develop:

  • Great customer service skills 
  • Excellent communication Skills 
  • Time management 
  • Patience and endurance 
  • Reliability 
  • Sales and business skills, and many more 

4.1 How To Find The Right Barbering Job  

To get the best out of your barbering career, you must know how to secure the job type and barber position that suits your skill set. As we mentioned above, the key is to determine your goals and choose an establishment or role that matches them.

You may also wish to consider the following vital factors while searching for a barbering job:

  • Location

It would be best to prioritize convenience when searching for a barbering job. It’s best to apply to barbershops close to where you live.

  • Recommendations and Reviews 

Consider the recommendations your friends make to you. If many people have an opinion about a barbershop, it’s likely true. Also, check google for reviews about potential organizations. They’ll give you an idea of how service-oriented the organization is. 

You’ll want to work with a company that has a good reputation.

  • Work Environment 

What’s the barbershop’s work environment like? Is it lively and welcoming, or is it hostile? Also, consider what values the company holds dear.

  • What They Offer 

Some barber shops only provide haircut services to their clients. If you like to gain experience in other barbering skills, stick with organizations that provide a wide range of services.

You can find vacancies by searching job ads on social media, job fairs, or going through recruitment agencies.

4.2 What To Expect From A First Job

Starting something new can make you nervous, and a first-time barbering job is no different. Fortunately, it usually always gets better with time. As you begin your first job, be prepared to make and learn from mistakes.

barber chair rental

 

Contact us at barberhub@trimcheck.com

FAQs

  • What does one learn in barbering school?
    In barbering school, you'll learn everything you need about caring for the hair and scalp. You'll learn to use barbering tools like hair clippers, straight razors, dusted brushes, etc. Barbers also learn numerous trimming techniques like waxing, hot towel shave, etc.
  • Are there alternative careers to barbering? 
  • What's the job of an assistant salon manager?
  • What is a cruise ship barber's salary?

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