Barbers Salary in California
In California, barbers earn $36,590 at the median — $17.59 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in California?
About barbers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level barbers (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Barbers salary by metro in California
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $35K | -3% | 600 |
Compare to other states
Track barbers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do barbers make in California?
The median is $36,590 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,870, and experienced barbers can clear $63,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,566/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 96.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a barbers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median barbers salary is worth about $34,473 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do barbers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.