---
title: "Barber School: Hours, License and Earnings | CareerDirecting"
description: "How barber school works: state-required hours, the barber license exam, how barbers earn and BLS May 2025 median pay."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/barber/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Beauty · Barber

# Barber school and becoming a barber A craft, a chair and regulars.

Beauty career profile

Barbers cut, fade, trim beards and give straight-razor shaves. Every state licenses barbers, so the path starts with a state-approved barber program. After that, your income depends on your skill, speed and loyal clients.

In short

To become a barber, finish a state-approved barber program, which requires a set number of training hours that varies by state, then pass the state licensing exam. Some states also allow apprenticeship under a licensed barber. Barbers earned a median of $38,210 in May 2025, per BLS, not including all tips.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $38,210 a year, about $18.37 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Certificate |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 75,800 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 3.3% |
| Openings each year | About 6,900 on average, including replacements |
| Licensing | Required in every state; hours set by state boards |
| How pay works | Commission, hourly or booth rent, plus tips |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## Building a book

Most barbers start in a busy shop to build speed and a client list. Social media and word of mouth fill the chair. Some eventually rent a booth or open their own shop.

## Questions people ask

### How long is barber school?

It depends on your state's required hours; many full-time programs take about a year.

### Can I be a barber without school?

Some states allow an apprenticeship route, but you still need a license.

### Do barbers make good money?

Successful barbers with steady clients can do well; the median is modest.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists.htm)

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