U.S. Barber Shop Statistics
2024–2025
In-depth statistics on the U.S. barber shop industry, sourced from U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns (CBP) 2022 and Nonemployer Statistics (NES) 2022. NAICS 812111 covers establishments primarily engaged in cutting and trimming hair for men and boys, typically without providing other beauty services.
Contents
1. Industry Size & Growth
Source: U.S. Census Bureau CBP 2022 (NAICS 812111) + NES 2022
~30,000
Barber shops with paid employees (CBP 2022)
100K+
Solo/nonemployer barbers (NES 2022)
130K+
Total barber businesses combined
+15%
Industry growth since 2017
"The U.S. barber shop industry has grown by approximately 15% since 2017, driven by the male personal care trend. As of 2022, approximately 30,000 barber shops operate with paid employees (NAICS 812111, CBP 2022), while more than 100,000 solo barbers operate as nonemployers — bringing the total industry count to over 130,000 businesses."
— Session.care Research, citing U.S. Census Bureau CBP 2022 and NES 2022, NAICS 812111
The U.S. barber shop industry has experienced a sustained renaissance since approximately 2015, fueled by growing male interest in personal grooming, styling, and the cultural resurgence of the classic barbershop as a community gathering point. The Census Bureau's 2022 CBP recorded approximately 30,000 barber shop establishments with paid employees under NAICS 812111.
Including solo nonemployer barbers (mobile barbers, independent chair renters, and home-based operators captured in the 2022 NES), the total industry headcount exceeds 130,000 businesses — a figure that has grown roughly 15% since 2017, outpacing the broader personal care sector's growth rate over the same period.
2. Employment & Earnings
Source: U.S. Census Bureau CBP 2022; American Community Survey (ACS)
$31,000
Average annual barber earnings (ACS)
3.1
Avg. employees per employer barber shop
~145,000
Total barbers & cosmetologists (ACS, all settings)
The American Community Survey records an average annual earning of approximately $31,000 for barbers across all employment arrangements. This figure includes tips, which can add $5,000–$15,000 annually depending on location and clientele. Urban markets — particularly New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago — see significantly higher earnings for experienced barbers in premium or specialty shops.
Employer barber shops average approximately 3.1 employees per establishment, reflecting the prevalence of small owner-operated shops. Most barber shop owners work behind the chair themselves in addition to managing the business — meaning scheduling, booking management, and administrative tasks fall disproportionately on the owner.
3. The Male Grooming Trend
Source: Industry analysis, Economic Census, consumer survey data
+15%
Barber establishment growth, 2017–2022
2–3x
Faster growth than general personal care sector
$3.2B
Est. U.S. barber shop revenue (Economic Census)
The barber shop industry has benefited from a sustained cultural trend toward male grooming, self-care, and specialty services (beard trims, hot towel shaves, skin fades). Between 2017 and 2022, barber shop establishment counts grew at approximately 2–3x the rate of the general personal care sector.
The rise of the "barbershop experience" — premium services in a community-oriented environment — has supported higher average ticket prices. Shops offering full grooming packages (cut + beard + treatment) at $45–$65 per visit are increasingly common in urban and suburban markets, pushing average per-visit revenue above the traditional $20–$30 haircut price point.
4. State Concentration
Source: U.S. Census Bureau CBP 2022, NAICS 812111, state-level data
| State | Est. Barber Shops | Notable Factor |
|---|---|---|
| New York | ~4,800 | Highest density per capita |
| California | ~4,200 | Largest total market |
| Texas | ~3,600 | Fast growing |
| Florida | ~2,900 | Fast growing |
| Illinois | ~2,100 | Chicago metro concentration |
| Georgia | ~1,800 | Growing |
| New Jersey | ~1,600 | High density, suburban NYC |
New York has the highest barber shop density per capita, driven by its diverse urban demographics, strong immigrant entrepreneurship, and cultural demand for specialty cutting. Texas and Florida are the fastest growing states, benefiting from population influx and the expansion of the premium barbershop concept in suburban markets.
5. Key Takeaways
What the Census Data Tells Us About the Barber Shop Industry
- 1Sustained growth story: The barber shop industry has grown 15% since 2017 — among the fastest growth rates in personal care, driven by the male grooming trend.
- 2Small-business dominant: With 3.1 avg. employees per shop, barber shops are almost exclusively micro-businesses — underserved by complex or expensive software.
- 3Owner is the operator: Most barber shop owners cut hair themselves, leaving minimal time for booking management — making automation essential.
- 4Earnings are modest but growing: Average barber earnings of ~$31,000 are supplemented by tips. Premium experience shops earn significantly more.
- 5Online booking adoption gap: Most barber shops still operate on walk-in or phone-call bookings. Online booking represents a significant competitive advantage for early adopters.
6. Methodology & Sources
- County Business Patterns (CBP) 2022, NAICS 812111 — Barber Shops. census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp.html
- Nonemployer Statistics (NES) 2022, NAICS 812111 — Solo barber operators.
- American Community Survey (ACS) — Occupational earnings data for barbers.
- 2022 Economic Census — Revenue estimates by establishment size for personal care services.
All figures are provided for informational and market-sizing purposes. Last reviewed: March 2025.
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