# Barbering Career Outlook
Barbers are in high demand, with the career expected to grow at 13% through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salons and barber shops seek out trained barbers with hands-on training and experience due to increasing attention on personal appearance driven by social media and societal norms changing from valuing grey hairs to youthful looks.
## Salary and Demographics
The average salary for a barber is $32,000 per year, with the top 10 percent earning over $40,870 and the bottom 10 percent making under $19,490. Factors such as experience and location impact earnings; for example, a barber with 10 years of experience generally makes more than one with just a year, and those in urban centers earn more than those in small towns. In terms of demographics, most barbers are White (60%), followed by Hispanic/Latino (22%), and women barbers earn 99% of what men do. Illinois ranks highest for barber salaries, averaging $49,482 annually.
## Career Prospects and Industry Growth
The barbering profession offers a mix of pros and cons. Pros include high demand, the potential for good earnings, client relationships, and job satisfaction from enhancing clients' appearances. The cons involve physical demands like being on your feet all day and dealing with occasional unhappy customers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% job growth from 2020-2030, indicating substantial opportunities in the field.
### Top Job Locations
The best barber jobs are typically found in big cities at high-end salons and spas, with some barbers specializing in services like celebrity styling or offering unique experiences such as hot towel shaves.
# Barber Career Insights
Is a barber a good career choice? It can be, especially if you're motivated and dedicated. With the industry booming, projected to reach $3.1 billion by 2024, and a growing UK market depicted by 6,000 barber shops, opportunities are extensive. However, challenges like staffing and economic shifts are present, and current trends favor luxury skincare and organic products.
## Steps to Success
Attributes necessary for success in hairdressing or barbering include strong communication skills and passion. It's a profession that suits people-oriented individuals who enjoy conversing with diverse customers. Starting as an employee, many barbers eventually open their own businesses, either as independent shops or home-based operations.
# Industry Outlook
Despite embracing the future with trends like barbers in shopping centers and the emergence of new barbering schools, the industry has proven resilient to e-commerce due to the physical nature of the services offered. Forbes highlighted the industry's robustness with brick-and-mortar stores dominating $20.3 billion in sales and major players continuing to open physical locations.
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