How Much Does a Barber Make a Year?

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The average barber’s salary is $52,123 a year, according to the latest data from ZipRecruiter. But barber salaries can range from about $17,500 to more than $86,000.

How much money you can make as a barber may depend on several factors, including education, certifications, experience, and where you’re located. Here’s a look at what barbers do and how they get paid.

What Are Barbers?

A barber’s main job is to cut and style hair, usually for male clients. Barbers also may trim or shave facial hair, fit hairpieces, and provide hair-coloring services.

To become a barber, you must obtain a license in the state where you plan to work. Licensing qualifications can vary, but you’ll likely have to meet a minimum age requirement, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have graduated from a state-licensed barber program. You may also have to pass a state licensing exam.

A barbershop often doubles as a social hub where men can go to swap stories and catch up on the latest news while they enjoy a little personal care. If mingling with clients all day isn’t your thing, you may want to check out jobs with less human interaction.

How Much Do Starting Barbers Make?

An entry-level salary for a barber can range from $8.41 to $41.35 or more an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Brand-new barbers tend to earn the highest hourly wages in New Jersey, Wyoming, and Wisconsin.

What Salary Can a Barber Expect to Make?

Barber jobs in the U.S. can pay anywhere from $17,500 to $86,000 or more, according to ZipRecruiter data. How much you can expect to make may depend on several factors, including how many hours you work and how many clients you serve; if you live in a region with more competitive pay; and if you work on commission, rent a chair at a shop, or own your own barbershop.

Here’s a look at the average barber’s income by state.

Barber Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

A barber’s compensation is traditionally set up in one of two ways:

  • Renting a chair or booth: Barbers who rent a chair at a barbershop pay the owner or franchise a fee for the space where they work, but they keep the rest of what they earn. This can give barbers more control over their work schedule and the services they choose to offer.
  • Earning a commission: Barbers who work on commission are paid a percentage of what they earn (typically between 40% to 70%). Or they could receive a predetermined hourly wage or salary plus a bonus commission. New barbers may choose to work a few years on commission to gain knowledge of how the business works and build a clientele, and then switch to renting a chair.

In addition, barbers can earn tips, usually about 15% to 20% of the price of a haircut or other service provided. Online tools like a money tracker app can help you keep track of your spending and saving from month to month.

Pros and Cons of a Barber’s Salary

As with any job, there are pros and cons to working as a barber, including:

Pros

  • Attending a barber school can take less time (usually a year or less) and is far less expensive than getting a college degree. Tuition is about $14,000 on average (not including books and supplies), but costs can range from about $4,000 to $25,000, depending on the program. Financial assistance may be available through federal or private student loans, grants, and scholarships.
  • Job prospects for barbers are good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
  • Popular barbers often can work the hours they choose while serving clients who appreciate their creativity — and reward them with their loyalty and generous tips. If you like the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, you may even decide to start your own business someday.

Cons

  • It can take time to build a reputation and a reliable list of repeat customers. In the meantime, you may experience some income instability, and tips may vary from one client to the next. This could make budgeting and spending difficult at times.
  • As a barber, you may not receive the same employee benefits that other careers generally offer, including health insurance, a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, paid sick leave, or vacation pay. You might have to work nights, weekends, or a fluctuating schedule that makes it hard to plan your social life. And you may have to pay for your own work tools.
  • You might also want to consider how long your career as a barber might last. Though it can be a fulfilling job, the work can be hard on your neck, back, hands, and feet.

The Takeaway

Your income potential as a barber will likely depend on where you work and the loyalty of your clientele. If you’re a creative and skilled stylist who likes keeping up with the latest trends, and you have good social skills, being a barber could be a great career choice. It also can help to have some business skills, as you may face unique challenges when it comes to managing your income, tracking your cash flow, planning for retirement, and paying taxes.

This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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22 Most Rewarding Jobs in America for 2024

22 Most Rewarding Jobs in America for 2024

You’ve probably heard that life is too short to spend time on unfulfilling work. While any job can be rewarding, some are inherently better than others. If you need to make a change — and you’re looking for something more fulfilling than a paycheck — we have some ideas.

First we’ll consider the criteria that make a job rewarding, before jumping into our curated list of the most rewarding jobs in America.

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What exactly is a rewarding job? After all, everyone will define a rewarding job differently. Some folks enjoy being around people, while others appreciate the ability to deeply engage in work alone. Some people are looking specifically for work-at-home gigs, while others are searching for the highest paying jobs.

We think that a rewarding career should help you feel accomplished and fulfilled. We break down additional elements below.

Jacob Wackerhausen/istockphoto

The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing upward mobility and equity with research and data, lists five key factors of a good job.

  • Livable wages. Earning a livable wage means you earn enough money to cover your basic needs. It’s tied to your health, financial security, and even your children’s success. Livable wages make you feel secure. Rewarding jobs should offer a good entry-level salary, and then…
  • Upward mobility and growth opportunities. Rewarding jobs allow workers to build on their skills and further their careers. More-experienced workers can feel satisfied knowing they receive competitive pay.
  • Workplace flexibility and schedule control. McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey revealed a flexible schedule is one of the top three reasons behind workers’ seeking a new job. Most workers (87%) offered flexible work take their employer up on the offer.
  • Benefits. Benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans contribute to a worker’s productivity as well as their health and well-being. Jobs with benefits help create a rewarding environment.
  • Working conditions and safety. For a job to be rewarding, a safe environment is essential.

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There are many jobs that have some or all of these characteristics. Below are 22 jobs that rated very high in a PayScale survey on job satisfaction. All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

1. Kindergarten Teacher

National average salary: $61,620

Job satisfaction rate: 81%

Job description: Some of the most rewarding jobs are jobs helping people. While a career in education doesn’t usually add a lot of zeroes to your bank account, it’s incredibly rewarding to help kids and adults improve their skills and confidence through education. It can also be one of those jobs that pay off student loans through the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

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National average salary: $80,840

Job satisfaction rate: 74%

Job description: These academic pros instruct and mentor students in various topics after high school. Until you reach professor status, check out our list of the best on-campus jobs.

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National average salary: $57,230

Job satisfaction rate: 90%

Job description: Conduct religious services and direct activities to support worship of a spiritual nature.

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National average salary: $229,300

Job satisfaction rate: 83%

Job description: Diagnose and treat injuries and illness with surgical procedures. With a salary well into the six figures, this is one of the highest paying jobs on our list.

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National average salary: $224,460

Job satisfaction rate: 78%

Job description: Provide preventative care to patients and refer them to specialists for further care.

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National average salary: $62,940

Job satisfaction rate: 80%

Job description: Lead musical performances; write and record music.

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National average salary: $78,520

Job satisfaction rate: 73%

Job description: Investigate the course of a disease to protect public health. Help provide community education and public policy for diseases.

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National average salary: $126,010

Job satisfaction rate: 78%

Job description: Treats patients under the supervision of a doctor. This role is one step below doctor and a step above nurse — similar to a nurse practitioner.

DragonImages/istockphoto

National average salary: $302,970

Job satisfaction rate: 83%

Job description: Administer and manage patient pain before, during, and after surgery. (We wonder if people who make this much would benefit from a good spending app.)

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National average salary: $84,140

Job satisfaction rate: 79%

Job description: Evaluate and treat patients who have speech and language disorders.

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National average salary: $203,240

Job satisfaction rate: 89%

Job description: Provide preventative and diagnostic medical care for children.

Drazen Zigic/istockphoto

National average salary: $220,430

Job satisfaction rate: 85%

Job description: Primary mental health care providers who diagnose and treat patients.

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National average salary: $51,680

Job satisfaction rate: 83%

Job description: Firefighters manage and extinguish fires to protect life and property. They also respond to other emergencies.

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National average salary: $99,820

Job satisfaction rate: 77%

Job description: Education administrators are responsible for the direction and implementation of school-related activities. They may hire staff, plan academic programs, attend meetings, and stay on top of any number of initiatives.

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National average salary: $159,530

Job satisfaction rate: 82%

Job description: Treat patients to prevent and repair tooth decay and oral health.

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National average salary: $68,090

Job satisfaction rate: 85%

Job description: Foresters maintain the health of a forested ecosystem. They may track types and amounts of standing timber, plant new trees, and determine which trees need to be cut.

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National average salary: $71,890

Job satisfaction rate: 97%

Job description: Create digital and physical maps and charts from geographic data.

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National average salary: $60,450

Job satisfaction rate: 93%

Job description: Rotary drill operators control large-scale machines that extract oil and gas from the earth. It’s one of the few jobs that don’t require college on this list.

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National average salary: $79,180

Job satisfaction rate: 86%

Job description: Develop and implement plans in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. Coordinate with local authorities and help lead when an event occurs.

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National average salary: $139,220

Job satisfaction rate: 77%

Job description: Study matter and energy. May develop scientific theories, conduct experiments, develop software, write papers, and present research at conferences.

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National average salary: $64,770

Job satisfaction rate: 81%

Job description: Help people find information in a library. Organize materials and create programs for public education. Although interaction with the public is a key part of this role, it still seems like the ultimate job for introverts.

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National average salary: $189,520

Job satisfaction rate: 88%

Job description: Executives plan and implement business activity and the overall direction of an organization. It is rewarding to see results from programs and teams you helped establish. If anyone can advise you how to ask for a signing bonus, it’s the CEO.

PeopleImages/istockphoto

Whether you’re in the right job or looking for a new path, it’s helpful to know that some well-paying jobs are among the most rewarding. Our list was compiled with salary data from PayScale and job satisfaction data provided by the Bureau for Labor Statistics. The medical field has a strong presence, as does education. Some less-expected rewarding jobs include music director, cartographer, clergy, and forrester. Cartographers have the highest job satisfaction on our list (who knew?), while anesthesiologists pull the highest salary.

This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.


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Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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