Barber salary in California
Barbers in California earn a median of $38,380 a year ($18.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,530 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,210. California ranks 18th of 36 states for barbers pay. There are 0.08 barbers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $47,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for barbers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| 25th percentile | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Median | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 75th percentile | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| Average (mean) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
Half of barbers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,198.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,599.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,476.15 |
| Weekly | $738.08 |
| Hourly | $18.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Barber salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,650 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,680 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for barbers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $77,430 |
| Illinois | $65,430 |
| Colorado | $61,500 |
| Washington | $61,150 |
| Iowa | $58,900 |
| New Jersey | $54,850 |
| Minnesota | $53,990 |
| Florida | $49,410 |
| North Dakota | $48,540 |
| Missouri | $47,880 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $140,870 | $67.73 |
| Shampooer | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-5011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a barber make in California?
The median salary for barbers in California is $38,380 a year, or $18.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid barbers make in California?
The top 10% of barbers in California earn at least $69,530 a year. The top 25% earn $44,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for barbers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,900 a year, and a quarter of barbers earn $37,040 or less.
How many barbers work in California?
About 1,390 barbers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.