by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Barbering/Barber involves the study of Barbering/barber. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Shave And Trim Facial/neck Hair And Beards, Cut And Dress Hair, Fit Hairpieces, Give Facial And Scalp Massages, Apply Cosmetic Treatments, And To Prepare For Licensure As Professional Barbers At Various Levels. Includes Instruction In Facial Shaving; Beard And Mustache Shaping And Trimming; Shampooing; Hair Cutting; Hair Styles And Styling Art; Facial Treatments And Massage; Chemical Applications; Hair And Scalp Anatomy And Physiology; Hairpiece And Toupee Fitting; Equipment Operation; Health And Safety; Customer Service; And Shop Business Practices. Continue reading for the important information every barbering/barber major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering barbering/barber programs.
In the U.S., barbering/barber draws strong interest, with 12,398 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Barbering/Barber Schools ranking analyzes these 495 schools to determine the best overall colleges for barbering/barber students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of barbering/barber programs later in this article.
Coursework for Barbering/Barber build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations barbering/barber graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a barbering/barber program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a barbering/barber major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several barbering/barber degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10,941 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,275 |
People currently working in careers related to barbering/barber tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 28.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 24.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 20.9% |
| Some college courses | 11.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 1.7% |
| Master’s degree | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in barbering/barber careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in barbering/barber can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to barbering/barber.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to barbering/barber.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Barbers | 168,368 | 10.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of barbering/barber graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for barbering/barber graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers barbering/barber grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Barbers | $47,321 |
With 495 different barbering/barber programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased barbering/barber school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in barbering/barber, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
