Barbering/Barber

Barbers handle the grooming needs of men, women and children. The majority of barbers do not have a college degree; barbers typically complete their training via a certified barber or cosmetology school. These can span 6 months to 2 years, depending on the specialization and school. The requirements for these institutions are a high school diploma or GED. In some circumstances, military vocational training can also pass for licensing.

Training programs offer either a diploma, a certificate or a degree. Total number of training hours can range from 1500-1800 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction. Students will learn about sanitation, scalp issues, hair loss, color, styling and beard grooming. Depending on the school there’s usually a course or two on running a barber shop as well as help on where to get financial aid to start a barbering business.

Most states require the future barber to pass a state exam. The exam contains a mix of written and oral questions. It covers everything from hair cutting to color to safety techniques. There’s also a portion of the exam that requires cutting and styling a live model. The current median salary of a barber according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is $26,270.