Employment Development Department
Labor Market Information
* * * This is NOT a job offer * * *
The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions.
If you are searching for a job, please go to
CalJOBSSM (for jobs in California) OR
JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)
BARBERS
California Occupational Guide Number 78
Interest Area: 5-C
1998
THE JOB
BARBERS perform a variety of services to improve the appearance and condition of customers' hair, but their main
job is cutting hair, adapting current styles to their customers' wants.
Barbers who are hair stylists specialize in shaping hair to suit the individual's facial features, hair quality and life style.
After consulting with the customer, a stylist shampoos, conditions, cuts, dries and shapes the hair, using the latest
techniques. Hair styling requires greater skill, care and a lot more time than regular haircutting.
Many Barbers also curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment. Barbers also give
shaves, shape and trim beards and mustaches and give facial or scalp massages. Barbers may keep card files on
their clientele. After each visit they note work done, products used and fees charged. A barber may recommend and
sell the products used by the shop.
Barbers are responsible for keeping scissors, combs, and other instruments sterilized and in good condition. They
clean their work stations and may sweep the shop. Shop owners and managers have additional responsibilities:
ordering supplies, keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Barber shops are located in many different localities: residential neighborhoods, downtown business districts,
suburban shopping centers, airports and hotels.
Shops ordinarily are attractive, clean and well lighted. They vary in size from one to five or more chairs. Large hair
styling salons may be divided into different work areas, including styling stations, shampoo rooms, and hair analysis
laboratories. In most shops, Barbers do their work in one, relatively small area. The job is not strenuous, but since
Barbers stand for most of the day, with their arms at shoulder level, it may be physically tiring. They occasionally
develop allergic reactions to hair processing chemicals. Routine use of protective rubber gloves generally prevents
this problem.
Barbers may belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, AFL-CIO in Southern California or the Retail
Clerks Union in the northern part of the State. Fewer than half of the shops in the State are covered by union
contracts.
Barbers usually provide their own tools and basic supplies-clippers, scissors, combs, and smocks-which cost about
$200. Stylists are responsible for their shampoo, solutions, and styling products.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information
Division.
Estimated number of workers in 1993
4,540
Estimated number of workers in 2005
1,140
Projected Growth 1993-2005
-6%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005
400
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
There are over 17,000 Barbers licensed by the State of California; however, the actual number of Barbers who are
working at their trade is unknown. Employment indicators show that jobs are declining. However, most Barbers are
self-employed, either in their own shops or in shops where they rent a chair from the owner, and are not counted in
employment surveys.
Barber schools report that employers' demand for trained Barbers far exceeds the supply of graduates despite full
classes. In addition, there will always be jobs for Barbers with creative abilities, sound job skills and a faithful
following.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Barbers generally earn either a commission or a set fee for each service performed or a guaranteed weekly wage,
whichever is higher. Commissions range from 40 percent to 80 percent of the gross earnings of the station at which
the Barber works. Typical hourly earnings for beginners start at minimum wage, but the median wage for Barbers in
California is $5.45 per hour. Earnings usually depend on the size, type and location of the shop. With experience,
Barbers are capable of earning up to $20.00 or more an hour. Barbers may receive a commission on products they
sell, and most of them receive tips. State law requires that overtime be paid at time and a half or double time. Fringe
benefits are minimal; very few Barbers receive benefits such as paid vacations or medical insurance.
The basic workweek for Barbers is 40 hours, usually including evenings or weekends. Days and hours vary with
different shops or salons, depending upon location and clientele.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Barbers practicing in California must be licensed by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Those being
examined must be at least 17 years old, have a ninth grade (or equivalent) education and complete an approved
barber course. Graduates take a written, oral and practical examination in all aspects of barbering, including styling.
The second way to qualify for a license is through a two-year apprenticeship program sponsored by the Joint
Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC). The program includes classroom instruction and full-time, paid on-thejob training. Apprentices work under the close supervision of a licensed Barber in a licensed shop. At the end of two
years, they are eligible to take the State Board exam. Apprenticeships are available in many metropolitan areas
through the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
ADVANCEMENT
In some areas, the JATC, barber colleges or manufacturers sponsor advanced courses for registered Barbers wanting
to improve their skills. Some experienced Barbers become shop managers or operate their own shops. A few
complete the additional requirements to become licensed as barber college instructors. Others get jobs with
manufacturers of barber products, demonstrating new styles and techniques.
FINDING THE JOB
Job seekers should ask for leads from their college, since employers often contact schools when openings are
available. Some employers may visit schools to watch students work on customers' hair before they hire. Job seekers
should apply directly to shops, contact their union and register with the California Employment Development
Department Job Services. Jobs are also listed in newspaper help wanted ads. Some employers, particularly in large
shops, do not need to actively recruit. They interview job seekers who apply in person and contact those who qualify
when suitable openings occur.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
For information about job opportunities as reservation and transportation ticket agents, write to individual airline
companies. Addresses are available from:
California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Examiners
400 R Street, Suite 4080, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-7061, http://www.dca.ca.gov/
California Department of Industrial Relations (Division of Apprenticeship Standards)
2424 Arden Way, Suite 160, Sacramento, CA 95825, (916) 263-2877 http://www.dir.ca.gov/das/das.html
California Barber College Association
2645 El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821, (916) 482-0871
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Cosmetologists No. 58
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed. 1991)
Barber 330.371-010
Barber Apprentice 330.371-014
(Occupational Employment Statistics) System Barbers 680020
Source:
State of California Employment Development Department (Labor Market Information Division
Information Services Group) (916) 262-2162.
Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide is to provide you with useful
information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, go to:

CalJOBSSM (for jobs in California)

JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)
The Employment Development Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Copyright © 2014 State of California
BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY INDUSTRY
The purpose of this information sheet is to provide the
barbering and cosmetology industry with standards
to be used when applying the common law rules of
employment specifically to a professional licensed by the
Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Barbering and
Cosmetology. This information is intended to clarify those
circumstances under which this individual is an employee
or independent contractor.
What is a Licensed Professional?
A “licensed professional” is an individual licensed by
the Department of Consumer Affairs and includes, but
is not limited to, barbers, cosmetologists, manicurists,
electrologists, and estheticians.
What is a Principal?
A “principal” is defi ned as a cosmetology business
operator or salon owner, or his or her agent or manager.
The types of businesses in which the licensed
professionals provide services include, but are not
limited to:
- Barber Colleges - Facial Salons
- Barber Shops - Hairdressers
- Beauty and Barber Shops - Hair Stylists, Men
Combined - Hair Stylists, Women
- Beauty Culture Schools - Manicure/Pedicure
- Beauty Shops or Salons Shops
- Clinics for Skin Care - Spas
- Cosmetology Schools - Unisex Hairdressers
- Cosmetology Shops or
Salons
Employee or Independent Contractor?
Section 4304-1 of Title 22, California Code of Regulations
(CCR), provides that to determine whether one performs
services for another as an employee, the most important
factor is the right of the principal to control the manner
and means of accomplishing a desired result. Section
4304-12 of Title 22, CCR, provides standards to be used
when applying the common law rules specifically to a
professional licensed by the Board of Barbering and
Cosmetology and is intended to make clearer those
circumstances under which this individual is an employee
or independent contractor.
Licensed Professional Determination Elements
The following Table of Determination Elements –
Barbering and Cosmetology as provided in Section 430412 of Title 22, CCR, provides determination elements
which shall be considered to determine whether a licensed
professional is an employee or independent contractor
with an explanation of the weight given to each element.
Not all of the elements listed in the table need to be
present to make a determination that a particular
employee or independent contractor relationship exits.
A determination of whether the services are being
performed as an employee or independent contractor will
depend upon a grouping of the elements present that are
significant in relationship to the services being performed.
RULING REQUEST
A formal ruling may be requested by submitting a
Determination of Employment Work Status for Purposes of
State of California Employment Taxes and Personal
Income Tax Withholding (DE 1870). To obtain this form,
access the Employment Development Department’s (EDD)
website at www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de1870.pdf or
contact the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 888-745-3886.
For more information on the ruling request process, refer
to the Information Sheet: Employment Work Status
Determination (DE 231ES).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information, please contact the Taxpayer
Assistance Center at 888-745-3886 or visit your local
Employment Tax Offi ce listed in the California Employer’s
Guide (DE 44) and on the EDD’s website at
www.edd.ca.gov/Office_Locator/. Additional information
is also available through the EDD’s no-fee payroll tax
seminars and online courses. View the in-person and
online course offerings on the EDD’s website at
www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/.
The EDD is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to
individuals with disabilities. Requests for services, aids,
and/or alternate formats need to be made by calling
888-745-3886 (voice) or TTY 800-547-9565.
This information sheet is provided as a public service and is intended to provide nontechnical assistance. Every attempt has been
made to provide information that is consistent with the appropriate statutes, rules, and administrative and court decisions. Any
information that is inconsistent with the law, regulations, and administrative and court decisions is not binding on either the
Employment Development Department or the taxpayer. Any information provided is not intended to be legal, accounting, tax,
investment, or other professional advice.