The income of barbers can vary depending on several factors, including:
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Experience: Barbers with more experience typically command higher salaries or can set higher rates for haircuts.
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Location: Barbers working in high-cost cities can potentially earn more than those in rural areas.
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Shop environment: High-end salons might offer barbers a higher commission rate or base salary compared to smaller barbershops.
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Clientele: Barbers who build a strong clientele of repeat customers can potentially earn more.
Here's a breakdown of what we know about barbers' income:
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Average salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for barbers in 2021 was $35,700 BLS source: [invalid URL removed]. This means half of all barbers earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
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Hourly wages: Some barbers might be employed as hourly workers. According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for barbers in the US is around $18 per hour Indeed source: https://www.indeed.com/career/barber/salaries .
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Commission-based barbers: In some barbershops, barbers might earn a commission on haircuts they perform. Commission rates can vary but might be somewhere in the range of 40-60% of the haircut price.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
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Tips: Barbers typically receive tips from customers, which can add significantly to their overall earnings.
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Self-employed barbers: Some barbers may be self-employed and rent a chair at a barbershop or run their own shop. This can offer them more control over their income but also comes with additional expenses.
Overall, while the average barber salary might be around $35,700, a barber's income can potentially range from minimum wage levels (or even lower for new barbers) to well over six figures for highly experienced barbers with a strong clientele.