Barber Salary in 2026
How Much Do Barbers Make?
Barbers earn a median annual salary of $38,960 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $27,770 at the 10th percentile to $78,440 at the 90th percentile — a range of $50,670. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $102,360.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,770 |
| 25th percentile | $32,050 |
| Median (50th) | $38,960 |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 |
| 90th percentile | $78,440 |
Barber Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $102,360 |
| Iowa | $78,480 |
| Washington | $70,750 |
| North Carolina | $64,290 |
| Colorado | $56,690 |
| Louisiana | $49,850 |
| New Jersey | $49,360 |
| Massachusetts | $48,990 |
| Kentucky | $48,930 |
| Georgia | $47,630 |
| Ohio | $46,930 |
| Florida | $46,900 |
| Maryland | $46,530 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Missouri | $44,390 |
| Indiana | $43,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,570 |
| South Carolina | $37,300 |
| Minnesota | $37,250 |
| California | $36,590 |
| Maine | $36,460 |
| Texas | $36,400 |
| Illinois | $36,300 |
| Connecticut | $35,810 |
| West Virginia | $34,360 |
| Wisconsin | $34,360 |
| North Dakota | $34,100 |
| Arizona | $32,840 |
| New York | $32,050 |
| Oklahoma | $31,450 |
| Tennessee | $31,230 |
| Michigan | $29,390 |
| Alabama | $27,850 |
| Utah | $25,290 |
| Arkansas | $24,700 |
| Mississippi | $24,110 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Barbers
Barber Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$27,770 – $32,050 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,960 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,180 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $78,440+ |
How to Earn More as a Barber
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Barbers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $79,720 — $40,760 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($59,180) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Barber Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Barberthis career | $38,960 |
| Spa Manager | $61,340 |
| Floral Designer | $36,120 |
| Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker Supervisor | $47,520 |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner | $34,660 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 39-5011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.