Barber

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Work Tasks

BARBERS cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair to help people look neat and well groomed. Many barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and offer permanent wave services. Barbers may fit hairpieces and wigs, straighten hair, provide hair and scalp treatments, shave male customers, trim and style beards and moustaches, and give facial massages. Barbers are expected to maintain clean work areas and sanitize all work implements, such as scissors, combs, and brushes. They may make appointments and sell hair products. Barbers also keep business and inventory records, order supplies, pay bills, and arrange for advertising.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $35,500 average per year ($17.00 per hour)
• A small occupation (9,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Entry Requirements

All states require BARBERS to be licensed by the state in which they work. The qualifications necessary to obtain a license vary. Generally, a person must have graduated from a state-licensed barber school, passed a physical exam, passed a written test, and demonstrated barbering services such as cutting hair, shaving, wrapping perm rods, and simulating touch up color. Some states require graduation from high school while others require an eighth grade education. In a few states, completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a barber school.