Barber Career Assessment
Cutting, styling, and shaving
Welcome
Barbers cut and style hair, trim and shave beards, and build loyal relationships with their clients.
You will explore what this people-focused trade is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Barber?
A barber cuts, trims, and styles hair, mostly for men, and gives shaves and beard trims. Many barbers build their own client base and some own their own shops.
The Reality: You are on your feet all day. Your income depends on building clients who come back. Many barbers rent a chair or work on commission, so income can go up and down.
Your Responsibilities:
- Cut and style hair
- Trim and shape beards
- Give straight-razor shaves
- Clean and sanitize tools
- Talk with clients about styles
- Book appointments
- Keep the shop clean
- Build a loyal client base
You help people look and feel their best.
A Day in the Life
9:00 AM — Open the shop. Sanitize your tools.
9:15 AM — First client: a regular fade.
10:00 AM — Beard trim and hot towel shave.
11:00 AM — Walk-in: a kid's first haircut.
12:30 PM — Quick lunch.
1:00 PM — Back-to-back appointments.
5:00 PM — Post photos of your work on social media.
6:00 PM — Clean up and close.
Social, creative work on your feet.
Training in North Dakota
North Dakota requires a barber license. You must complete barber school and pass the state exam. ND no longer has a barber apprenticeship option.
Training Pathways:
- Barber school (at least 1,500 hours): Many programs take less than a year full time.
- State exam: Written/oral and practical tests.
- After licensing: Work in a shop, rent a chair, or open your own.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- Moler Barber College of Hair Styling (Fargo)
- Skill Cutz Barber College (Fargo)
- Dakota Barber Academy (Fargo)
- Check the ND State Board of Barber Examiners for the current school list
Before You Start: Check with the school for admission requirements. Good hand skills, people skills, and ability to stand for long periods.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
North Dakota requires a barber license. The ND State Board of Barber Examiners licenses barbers.
What You Need:
- Barber school — 1,500 hours
- State exam — written/oral and practical, held 4 times a year
- Barber license — renewed every year
The Exams: Practical skills test plus a written/oral test. If you fail, you must wait 3 months to retake it.
Cost: Exam and license about $100. Renewal about $100 a year.
Keeping It Current: Renew each year by July 1. Continuing education is required.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Barber Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $13.83–$18.69/hour ($28,760–$38,880/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $23.34/hour ($48,540/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $27.98–$28.40/hour ($58,210–$59,070/year)
What that means: ND pay is well above the national median. These numbers may not include tips, which can add a lot. Self-employed barbers' income varies.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 180 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 180 (a 2% dip). Expect about 20 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 4% growth — average.
Outlook: Small but steady, with about 20 openings a year in ND, mostly in cities.
Who Hires in ND: Barbershops, salons, and your own shop.
Work Setting: Barbershops. Evenings and Saturdays are busy.
Physical Demands: Moderate. Standing all day, using your hands and arms, and bending.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 39-5011); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Shop Owner — Run your own barbershop.
Path 2: Chair Renter — Be your own boss in someone's shop.
Path 3: Master Barber — Build advanced skills.
Path 4: Barber Instructor — Teach at a barber school.
Path 5: Men's Grooming Specialist — Focus on beards and styles.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Creative, social work
- Under a year of training
- Can be your own boss
- Loyal clients
- Tips add to income
- ND pay is higher than national
What's Hard:
- On your feet all day
- Building clients takes time
- Income can vary
- Evenings and Saturdays
- Schools are only in Fargo
- Small field in ND
Be Honest: Do you enjoy talking with people all day? Can you stand for long hours? Are you ready to build your own client base?