GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Barber Industry Statistics

U.S. barber industry worth $6 billion, growing fast with loyal clients.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The top reason clients choose a particular barber is personal recommendations, accounting for 65% of new business

Statistic 2

The average customer spends about $25 on a haircut and grooming at a barber shop

Statistic 3

The industry has an average customer satisfaction rate of 85%, reflecting high client loyalty

Statistic 4

Nearly 40% of barbers are between the ages of 25 and 34

Statistic 5

The average customer visits a barber shop 4 times per year

Statistic 6

Millennials comprise 45% of barber shop clientele, making them the largest age demographic

Statistic 7

The average age of master barbers who own shops is 45, reflecting experienced industry leadership

Statistic 8

45% of barber shop customers are aged between 18 and 35, highlighting a youthful customer base

Statistic 9

The employment of barbers is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 10

The average annual wage for barbers in the U.S. was $27,580 in 2022

Statistic 11

Approximately 70% of barbers are male

Statistic 12

About 30% of barbers are female

Statistic 13

Approximately 20% of barbersare self-employed or operate as independent contractors

Statistic 14

The industry employs around 250,000 people nationwide, including barbers, apprentices, and support staff

Statistic 15

The average shop employs 3 to 4 staff members, including barbers and support personnel

Statistic 16

The industry is forecasted to add about 15,000 new jobs through 2030, indicating robust growth

Statistic 17

The majority of barber shops are independently owned, comprising about 75% of the industry

Statistic 18

The typical barber holds a state license, with prerequisites including graduation from an accredited barber school and passing a licensing exam

Statistic 19

Barbers who use digital booking tools report 30% higher client retention rates

Statistic 20

60% of barber shops offer services beyond traditional haircuts, such as skincare and grooming products

Statistic 21

80% of barber shops are located in urban areas, highlighting industry urban concentration

Statistic 22

About 35% of barbers undertake continuing education regularly to improve their skills

Statistic 23

The primary equipment expenditure for barber shops is on barber chairs, with an average cost of $1,200 per chair

Statistic 24

55% of barber shops report increasing revenues year-over-year, reflecting industry resilience

Statistic 25

About 15% of barber shops offer mobile grooming services to expand customer reach

Statistic 26

The average duration of a haircut service is approximately 20 minutes, leading to an average of 3 clients per hour

Statistic 27

Barber apprenticeships make up 12% of industry training programs, providing practical experience to new barbers

Statistic 28

Green and eco-friendly practices are adopted by 10% of barber shops, emphasizing sustainability

Statistic 29

The average tip added to a service is about 20%, significantly impacting overall earnings for barbers

Statistic 30

Approximately 25% of barber shops sell grooming products directly to customers, adding a revenue stream

Statistic 31

Only about 10% of barber shops have an online presence that allows clients to book appointments directly, indicating room for digital growth

Statistic 32

The average number of clients served per week per barber is around 20

Statistic 33

The typical lifespan of a barber chair is around 10 years with proper maintenance, influencing capital expenditure planning

Statistic 34

About 12% of industry revenue comes from the sale of grooming accessories and tools, indicating diversification

Statistic 35

The number of barber shops that have adopted contactless payment methods increased by 35% in 2022, enhancing customer convenience

Statistic 36

The average profit margin for barber shops is approximately 15-20%, depending on location and operation scale

Statistic 37

The average number of services offered by a barber shop is 8, ranging from haircuts to beard trims and skincare

Statistic 38

Business continuity plans are adopted by 25% of barber shops to prepare for emergencies, such as pandemics or economic downturns

Statistic 39

The average operational hours for barber shops are 8 hours per day, 6 days a week, allowing flexibility for client scheduling

Statistic 40

The most requested service in barber shops globally is hair grooming, followed by beard trims and styling

Statistic 41

50% of barber shops have invested in staff training programs recently to improve service quality

Statistic 42

The average duration to open a fully operational barber shop is roughly 6 months, including licensing and setup

Statistic 43

The barber industry is worth approximately $6 billion annually in the United States

Statistic 44

Over 25,000 barber shops operate across the U.S.

Statistic 45

The number of barber licenses issued increased by 5% in 2022, indicating industry growth

Statistic 46

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary decrease of 25% in barber shop revenue in 2020, but the industry rebounded in 2021

Statistic 47

The industry has seen a 15% increase in male grooming product sales over the last 2 years, boosting revenue streams

Statistic 48

The industry’s growth rate is expected to be 3% annually over the next five years, driven by urbanization and grooming trends

Statistic 49

Approximately 25% of shops offer eco-friendly or organic grooming products, reflecting a trend towards sustainability

Statistic 50

The industry’s recovery post-pandemic has led to a 12% increase in the number of barber shop startups in 2022, indicating renewed entrepreneurial activity

Statistic 51

The industry has an annual growth rate of 3-4% driven by rising disposable incomes and grooming trends

Statistic 52

The most common promotional methods used by barber shops are social media and referral discounts, each used by over 60% of shops

Statistic 53

The average annual expenditure on marketing by barber shops is around $2,500, focusing mainly on local advertising and social media

Statistic 54

Celebrating barber heritage and tradition has increased industry engagement by 20%, as shops leverage culture in marketing

Statistic 55

The use of social media marketing increased the visibility of barber shops by 50% over the past 3 years

Statistic 56

About 18% of barber shops participate in community events to enhance brand visibility

Statistic 57

Approximately 65% of barber clinics participate in grooming and wellness events to boost visibility

Statistic 58

The industry’s online search interest increased by 40% over the last 3 years, reflecting rising consumer engagement

Statistic 59

50% of new clients discover barber shops via online reviews, underscoring the importance of reputation management

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Key Highlights

The barber industry is worth approximately $6 billion annually in the United States
Over 25,000 barber shops operate across the U.S.
The employment of barbers is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations
The average annual wage for barbers in the U.S. was $27,580 in 2022
Approximately 70% of barbers are male
About 30% of barbers are female
Nearly 40% of barbers are between the ages of 25 and 34
The majority of barber shops are independently owned, comprising about 75% of the industry
The typical barber holds a state license, with prerequisites including graduation from an accredited barber school and passing a licensing exam
The number of barber licenses issued increased by 5% in 2022, indicating industry growth
Barbers who use digital booking tools report 30% higher client retention rates
60% of barber shops offer services beyond traditional haircuts, such as skincare and grooming products
The average customer visits a barber shop 4 times per year

With the barber industry booming into a $6 billion powerhouse across the U.S. and experiencing a steady 3-4% annual growth, the profession’s evolving workforce and innovative marketing strategies are transforming barbershops from traditional neighborhood hangouts into dynamic centers of grooming, style, and entrepreneurial success.

Customer Engagement

The top reason clients choose a particular barber is personal recommendations, accounting for 65% of new business
The average customer spends about $25 on a haircut and grooming at a barber shop
The industry has an average customer satisfaction rate of 85%, reflecting high client loyalty

Customer Engagement Interpretation

With personal recommendations driving 65% of new clients, an $25 average spend, and an impressive 85% satisfaction rate, the barber industry clearly thrives on trust, affordability, and a cut above the rest.

Demographics and Client Profiles

Nearly 40% of barbers are between the ages of 25 and 34
The average customer visits a barber shop 4 times per year
Millennials comprise 45% of barber shop clientele, making them the largest age demographic
The average age of master barbers who own shops is 45, reflecting experienced industry leadership
45% of barber shop customers are aged between 18 and 35, highlighting a youthful customer base

Demographics and Client Profiles Interpretation

With millennials representing nearly half of the clientele and young adults making up a significant portion of customers, the barber industry is both a vibrant youth hub and a testament to seasoned leadership—a sharp blend of youthful energy and experienced craftsmanship shaping its future.

Employment and Workforce

The employment of barbers is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations
The average annual wage for barbers in the U.S. was $27,580 in 2022
Approximately 70% of barbers are male
About 30% of barbers are female
Approximately 20% of barbersare self-employed or operate as independent contractors
The industry employs around 250,000 people nationwide, including barbers, apprentices, and support staff
The average shop employs 3 to 4 staff members, including barbers and support personnel
The industry is forecasted to add about 15,000 new jobs through 2030, indicating robust growth

Employment and Workforce Interpretation

With an expected job growth of 8% and around 15,000 new opportunities by 2030, the barber industry is poised to style its way into a promising future—yet, with just a quarter of the barbers earning under $30,000, perhaps it’s time for a cut in wages to match its steady shearing success.

Industry Operations and Business Practices

The majority of barber shops are independently owned, comprising about 75% of the industry
The typical barber holds a state license, with prerequisites including graduation from an accredited barber school and passing a licensing exam
Barbers who use digital booking tools report 30% higher client retention rates
60% of barber shops offer services beyond traditional haircuts, such as skincare and grooming products
80% of barber shops are located in urban areas, highlighting industry urban concentration
About 35% of barbers undertake continuing education regularly to improve their skills
The primary equipment expenditure for barber shops is on barber chairs, with an average cost of $1,200 per chair
55% of barber shops report increasing revenues year-over-year, reflecting industry resilience
About 15% of barber shops offer mobile grooming services to expand customer reach
The average duration of a haircut service is approximately 20 minutes, leading to an average of 3 clients per hour
Barber apprenticeships make up 12% of industry training programs, providing practical experience to new barbers
Green and eco-friendly practices are adopted by 10% of barber shops, emphasizing sustainability
The average tip added to a service is about 20%, significantly impacting overall earnings for barbers
Approximately 25% of barber shops sell grooming products directly to customers, adding a revenue stream
Only about 10% of barber shops have an online presence that allows clients to book appointments directly, indicating room for digital growth
The average number of clients served per week per barber is around 20
The typical lifespan of a barber chair is around 10 years with proper maintenance, influencing capital expenditure planning
About 12% of industry revenue comes from the sale of grooming accessories and tools, indicating diversification
The number of barber shops that have adopted contactless payment methods increased by 35% in 2022, enhancing customer convenience
The average profit margin for barber shops is approximately 15-20%, depending on location and operation scale
The average number of services offered by a barber shop is 8, ranging from haircuts to beard trims and skincare
Business continuity plans are adopted by 25% of barber shops to prepare for emergencies, such as pandemics or economic downturns
The average operational hours for barber shops are 8 hours per day, 6 days a week, allowing flexibility for client scheduling
The most requested service in barber shops globally is hair grooming, followed by beard trims and styling
50% of barber shops have invested in staff training programs recently to improve service quality
The average duration to open a fully operational barber shop is roughly 6 months, including licensing and setup

Industry Operations and Business Practices Interpretation

Despite being predominantly independently owned in urban hubs with a diverse range of services and embracing digital innovations like online booking and contactless payments, the barber industry faces growth opportunities in expanding online presence and sustainable practices, underscoring its resilient yet evolving nature.

Market Size and Growth

The barber industry is worth approximately $6 billion annually in the United States
Over 25,000 barber shops operate across the U.S.
The number of barber licenses issued increased by 5% in 2022, indicating industry growth
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary decrease of 25% in barber shop revenue in 2020, but the industry rebounded in 2021
The industry has seen a 15% increase in male grooming product sales over the last 2 years, boosting revenue streams
The industry’s growth rate is expected to be 3% annually over the next five years, driven by urbanization and grooming trends
Approximately 25% of shops offer eco-friendly or organic grooming products, reflecting a trend towards sustainability
The industry’s recovery post-pandemic has led to a 12% increase in the number of barber shop startups in 2022, indicating renewed entrepreneurial activity
The industry has an annual growth rate of 3-4% driven by rising disposable incomes and grooming trends

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

The U.S. barber industry’s resilient $6 billion pulse, fueled by booming grooming trends, eco-conscious choices, and entrepreneurial resurgence, proves that a fresh cut is more than style—it's a steady economic shave of growth.

Marketing

The most common promotional methods used by barber shops are social media and referral discounts, each used by over 60% of shops
The average annual expenditure on marketing by barber shops is around $2,500, focusing mainly on local advertising and social media

Marketing Interpretation

Barber shops are cutting costs and styling strategies with social media and referral discounts, spending around $2,500 annually to snip ahead in the local beauty race.

Marketing, Customer Engagement

Celebrating barber heritage and tradition has increased industry engagement by 20%, as shops leverage culture in marketing

Marketing, Customer Engagement Interpretation

Celebrating barber heritage and tradition has sharpened industry engagement by 20%, proving that a cut with culture can style both hair and brand loyalty.

Marketing, Customer Engagement, and Trends

The use of social media marketing increased the visibility of barber shops by 50% over the past 3 years
About 18% of barber shops participate in community events to enhance brand visibility
Approximately 65% of barber clinics participate in grooming and wellness events to boost visibility
The industry’s online search interest increased by 40% over the last 3 years, reflecting rising consumer engagement
50% of new clients discover barber shops via online reviews, underscoring the importance of reputation management

Marketing, Customer Engagement, and Trends Interpretation

As social media transforms barber shops into thumbnails of visibility and reputation, industry insiders agree that a sharp digital cut can be more impactful than a sharp blade.