Headline risk
3%
Very Low RiskBarbers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 38,960
Employment 2024
76.0K
Projected Change (2024–34)
4.1%
Openings (2024–34)
8.4K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments. AI use: 0%
- 2. Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors. AI use: 0%
- 3. Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders. AI use: 0%
- 4. Clean work stations and sweep floors. AI use: 0%
- 5. Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles. AI use: 0%
- 6. Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 39.1 · 141K employed
Under 25: 10% · 25–54: 79% · 55+: 11%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and other services related to personal appearance.
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work mostly in barbershops or salons. Most are full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings and weekends.
All states require barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to be licensed. To qualify for a license, candidates typically must graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and pass an exam.
The median hourly wage for barbers was $18.73 in May 2024.
Overall employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.