Industry Reference
Barber & Salon Industry Statistics (2026)
Current U.S. workforce, wage, and business figures for barbering and hair services. Every number below includes its source and the year it represents.
At A Glance
A national view of the people and businesses behind the chair.
This reference brings together federal workforce projections and Census Bureau business counts. It is designed for readers who need a clear, citable snapshot of the U.S. barber and salon landscape.
Workforce & Business Data
Key statistics
670,800
Workers in the combined occupation group
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 670,800 barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 employment projections7%
Projected workforce growth
Employment for the combined occupation group is projected to grow from 670,800 in 2025 to 719,200 in 2035, an increase of 48,400 jobs.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025–2035 projections80,300
Average annual openings
The BLS projects an average of 80,300 openings each year for barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists from 2025 through 2035.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025–2035 projections51.7%
Self-employed in the occupation group
Just over half of workers in the combined occupation group were self-employed in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 worker characteristics$18.37
Median hourly pay for barbers
The national median hourly wage for barbers was $18.37 in May 2025. The figure includes tips reported in the wage data.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 wages$17.21
Median hourly pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
The national median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025. The figure includes tips reported in the wage data.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 wages141,769
Nonemployer barber shops
The Census Bureau reported 141,769 U.S. nonemployer barber-shop establishments in 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Nonemployer Statistics, NAICS 812111$4,532,466,000
Nonemployer barber-shop receipts
Those nonemployer barber shops reported $4,532,466,000 in receipts in 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Nonemployer Statistics, NAICS 8121117,789
Employer barber-shop establishments
The Census Bureau reported 7,789 U.S. employer establishments in the barber-shop industry in 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns, NAICS 812111Methodology & Sources
How these figures are grouped
Workforce and wage figures use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics group of barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. The BLS reports that group as separate barber and hair-service occupations combined for the workforce totals.
Business figures use the Census Bureau’s NAICS 812111 definition for barber shops. Employer and nonemployer counts are reported separately by the Census Bureau, so they are shown separately here.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, employment projections and May 2025 pay data.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational projections and worker characteristics, 2025–2035 projections.
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2023 Nonemployer Statistics for barber shops.
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2023 County Business Patterns profile for barber shops.
Cite This Page
Suggested citation
Woody’s Barber Shop & The Color Room. “Barber & Salon Industry Statistics (2026).” Updated September 22, 2026. https://woodysbarbershopllc.net/industry-statistics