Barbering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Barbering is a specialized field focused on the professional care and styling of men's hair, facial hair, and scalp health. This program equips students with the technical expertise and foundational knowledge required to excel in a licensed barbering career, emphasizing both artistic skill and client-centered service. Graduates are prepared to meet industry standards and pursue licensure in a variety of barbering environments.
- Facial shaving techniques: Mastery of precision shaving methods for the face and neck, including proper use of straight razors and safety razors, with attention to skin sensitivity and client comfort.
- Beard and mustache shaping: Advanced training in contouring, trimming, and sculpting facial hair to enhance natural features and align with client preferences.
- Haircutting fundamentals: Development of core cutting skills across various techniques, including clipper work, scissor cutting, and layering, tailored to different hair textures and styles.
- Hair styling and artistry: Instruction in creating contemporary and classic men’s hairstyles, with emphasis on form, balance, and personal expression.
- Facial and scalp treatments: Application of massage techniques and skincare protocols to promote circulation, relaxation, and healthy scalp conditions.
- Chemical applications: Safe and effective use of hair straightening, texturizing, and coloring products, including understanding chemical reactions and client suitability.
- Anatomy and physiology of hair and scalp: In-depth study of hair structure, growth cycles, and scalp health to inform treatment and styling decisions.
- Hairpiece and toupee fitting: Training in selecting, adjusting, and securing hair prosthetics for a natural, seamless appearance.
- Equipment operation and maintenance: Proficiency in using and caring for barbering tools, including clippers, trimmers, razors, and styling appliances.
- Health and safety protocols: Adherence to sanitation standards, infection control, and workplace safety regulations to ensure client and professional well-being.
- Client service excellence: Building rapport, assessing needs, and delivering personalized experiences that enhance satisfaction and retention.
- Business practices for barbershops: Introduction to shop operations, inventory management, pricing strategies, and ethical standards in a professional service environment.
Barbering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Barbering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Barbering degrees, including Barbers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 18,100 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Barbers 39-5011 | $38,960 | $27,770 - $78,440 | 18,100 | $18.73 |
Barbering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $24,110 in Mississippi to $102,360 in District of Columbia—a 325% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Iowa, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 18,100 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Barbering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 97 institutions offering Barbering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Barbering is found at NUC University (NUC) (623 graduates), Texas Barber College (TBC) (238 graduates), Houston Barber School (164 graduates), D'Mart Institute (150 graduates), and Urban Barber College (150 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 6,912 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUC University (NUC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
623 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
Texas Barber College (TBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
238 | Houston, Texas | Private | txbarber.edu |
Houston Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
164 | Houston, Texas | Private | htxbarberschool.com |
D'Mart Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
150 | Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | Private | dmartpr.com |
Urban Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
150 | Concord, California | Private | urbanbarbercollege.com |
Instituto Educativo Premier |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
139 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | premierponce.net |
Moler Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
129 | Oakland, California | Private | moler.org |
Advanced Barber College and Hair Design (ABC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
113 | Weslaco, Texas | Private | abcrgv.com |
Florida Barber Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
101 | Plantation, Florida | Private | floridabarberacademy.edu |
Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
101 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
Academy of Hair Design (AHD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
95 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | aohd.edu |
Sharp Edgez Barber Institute |
Other Award
|
94 | Rochester, New York | Private | sharpedgez.com |
Olympian Academy of Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
90 | LAS CRUCES, New Mexico | Private | olympianacademy.edu |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
88 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | wiregrass.edu |
CRU Institute of Cosmetology and Barbering |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
87 | Garden Grove, California | Private | cruinstitute.com |
LaBarberia Institute of Hair |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
86 | Mayfield Hts, Ohio | Private | labarberiainstitute.com |
Winston Salem Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
84 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wsbarberschool.com |
Deluxe Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
80 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | deluxebarbercollege.com |
Emily Griffith Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
79 | Denver, Colorado | Public | emilygriffith.edu |
Modern Hairstyling Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
78 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | modern.edu |
Top of the Line Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
78 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | totlbarberschool.org |
Central Valley Barber College (CVBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
75 | Riverbank, California | Private | centralvalleybarbercollege.com |
Alamo City Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
73 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | alamocitybarbercollege.com |
Florida Academy |
Other Award
|
70 | Fort Myers, Florida | Private | florida-academy.edu |
Mei Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
69 | Brownsville, Texas | Private | meibarberschool.com |
Bellus Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
67 | Chula Vista, California | Private | bellusacademy.edu |
Denmark College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
67 | Merrillville, Indiana | Private | successbarberschool.com |
Boise Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
66 | Boise, Idaho | Private | boisebarbercollege.com |
Phipps Academy of Barbering |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
65 | Richton Park, Illinois | Private | phippsacademy.com |
American Beauty College (ABC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
64 | West Covina, California | Private | americanbeautycollege.edu |
Cosmetology & Spa Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
64 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Private | cosmetologyandspaacademy.edu |
Modern Hairstyling Institute (MHI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
64 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Private | modern.edu |
Ohio State College of Barber Styling |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
60 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | osbc.edu |
Barber School of Pittsburgh |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
58 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | bsp.edu |
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
58 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
Rob Roy Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
57 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | rob-roy.com |
Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
56 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
56 | Costa Mesa, California | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Academy Di Capelli |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
56 | Wallingford, Connecticut | Private | academydicapelli.com |
Kenny's Academy of Barbering |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
56 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | kennysacademy.com |
Advantage Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
56 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | adtecpr.com |
College of Hair Design |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
55 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | collegeofhairdesign.com |
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
55 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Trend Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
54 | Houston, Texas | Private | trendbarbercollege.com |
Designer Barber & Stylist School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
54 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Private | designercollege.net |
Sierra College of Beauty |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
53 | Merced, California | Private | sierrabeautycollege.net |
Paul Mitchell the School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52 | Sacramento, California | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Associated Barber College of San Diego |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52 | San Diego, California | Private | associatedbarbercollege.edu |
Lu Ross Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51 | Ventura, California | Private | lurossacademy.com |
Celebrity School of Beauty |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
50 | Miami, Florida | Private | celebrity.edu |
Hawaii Institute of Hair Design |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hihd.edu |
American Educational College (AEC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | amedcopr.com |
The Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48 | Midvale, Utah | Private | thebarberschool.com |
California Barber and Beauty College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
48 | San Diego, California | Private | californiabarberandbeauty.com |
A Better U Beauty Barber Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Private | abuacademy.com |
International School of Beauty Inc |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47 | Palm Desert, California | Private | btyschool.com |
Bene's Career Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
47 | New Port Richey, Florida | Private | benes.edu |
Hair Academy II |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47 | Hillcrest Heights, Maryland | Private | hairacademy2.com |
Milan Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47 | Clovis, California | Private | milaninstitute.edu |
ZMS The Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47 | Los Angeles, California | Private | zmsacademy.com |
World A Cuts Barber Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
46 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | worldacuts.com |
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45 | Fresno, California | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
California College of Barbering and Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45 | Stockton, California | Private | calcbc.com |
MIXED Institute of Cosmetology & Barber |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
45 | Sacramento, California | Private | mixed.institute |
Salon Success Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
44 | Riverside, California | Private | salonsuccessacademy.com |
South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
44 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
Old Town Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
44 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | otbcollege.com |
Bellus Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
44 | Poway, California | Private | bellusacademy.edu |
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
43 | Temecula, California | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
43 | Amarillo, Texas | Private | wadegordonacademy.com |
Coahoma Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
42 | Clarksdale, Mississippi | Public | coahomacc.edu |
Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education (BPACE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
42 | Baldwin Park, California | Public | bpace.bpusd.net |
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
42 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Premier Barber Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
42 | Norristown, Pennsylvania | Private | premierbarberinstitute.com |
Savannah Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
41 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
Montgomery Beauty School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
41 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | https |
Federico Beauty Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
40 | Sacramento, California | Private | federico.edu |
The Michigan Barber School |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
39 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | michiganbarberschool.org |
New England Hair Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Malden, Massachusetts | Private | newenglandhairacademy.com |
Emma's Beauty Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico | Private | ebajuanadiaz.com |
Barber & Beauty Institute of New York |
Other Award
|
39 | Hempstead, New York | Private | bbiny.edu |
GA Beauty & Barber School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | McAllen, Texas | Private | gabeautybarber.com |
Academy of Hair Design (AHD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
38 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | mississippibarberacademy.com |
American Institute of Beauty (AIB) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
38 | Largo, Florida | Private | aibschool.edu |
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
37 | Minden, Louisiana | Public | nltcc.edu |
Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
37 | Tampa, Florida | Private | artistic.edu |
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
37 | La Puente, California | Public | hlpae.com |
Cutting Edge Barber Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
37 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | thecuttingedgebarberacademy.com |
Daytona State College (DSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
Coachella Valley Beauty College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
36 | La Quinta, California | Private | cvbeautycollege.com |
JB's Hair Design and Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | jbsbarbercollege.org |
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Casselberry, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
International Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
36 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | internationalbarber.net |
Massachusetts School of Barbering |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
35 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Private | massschoolofbarbering.com |
Ogden-Weber Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
35 | Ogden, Utah | Public | otech.edu |
Northwest Educational Center (NWEC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
35 | Houston, Texas | Private | nwec.edu |
Empire Beauty School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
35 | Hooksett, New Hampshire | Private | empirebeautyschools.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Barbering programs
How much can I earn with a Barbering degree?
Salaries for Barbering graduates vary by role and location. Barbers earn a median of $38,960 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $102,360 compared to $24,110 in Mississippi. Approximately 18,100 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Barbering programs?
Currently 495 accredited institutions offer Barbering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include NUC University (NUC) (623 graduates), Texas Barber College (TBC) (238 graduates), and Houston Barber School (164 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Barbering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6,328 in 2010 to 12,398 in 2023-24. This represents a 96% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Barbering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Barbers. Related occupations employ approximately 18,100 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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