Serious question, how many of you knew the average barber in the US makes around $35,000 a year?

I found that number on a Bureau of Labor Statistics page and it really surprised me, given the skill and overhead involved, so what's the real story for most of you out there?

4 comments

4 Comments

schmidt.iris27d ago

Wait, does the BLS number actually leave out tips? I looked it up once and I'm pretty sure their wage data for jobs like barbers is supposed to include reported tips and commissions. The real gap is probably from cash tips that don't get reported, or averaging in brand new barbers with established ones.

craig.parker1mo ago

That number seems low for a busy shop owner, but maybe it averages in part time workers. Does that figure include tips, or is it just the base wage?

waderamirez1mo ago

Agree with craig.parker, that base wage probably hides real income from tips and cash.

robin8961mo ago

Yeah, good point about tips! I always wonder how much those service jobs really make after tips. My buddy runs a coffee cart and his official pay looks tiny, but he makes way more from the tip jar. Do you think they should just include average tips in those wage reports? It would give a much clearer picture of what people actually take home. The base wage alone doesn't tell you much for a lot of jobs.