This is a loaded question, because there are a variety of paths to take when becoming a barber. State requirements, type of school, and length/scope of program all come into play.
How Long Is Barber Training?
While all state regulations are not the same, accredited barber training programs at cosmetology schools, career colleges, and community colleges normally range between 1,000 to 1,500 hours in length. This translates into about six months to one year of school and includes both classroom and hands on training requirements.
Barbering Program Hours Breakdown
During a 1,500 hour barbering course, you might see an hours breakdown similar to this:
- Hairdressing — 1,100 hours
- Shaving — 200 hours
- Health and Safety — 200 hours
Common Classes In A Barbering Program
There’s a lot of knowledge and a wide variety of skills to master when becoming a professional barber. Some of the classes that may be included in your accredited barbering program are:
- State Regulations
- Sanitation and Safety
- Barbering Anatomy and Physiology
- Chemistry for Barbers
- Shaving, Mustaches, and Beards
- Facial Massage and Treatments
- Men’s and Women’s Haircutting and Styling
- Barber Shop Management
How Much Is Barber Training?
We researched a few dozen cosmetology schools, including our partner schools and others. Some had campuses nationwide, some were community colleges, and some were local boutique schools. Though it is sometimes difficult to find exact price quotes, we did find some.
One popular school with locations nationwide has a one-year price of a little over $17,000 plus about $3,000 for course supplies. Meanwhile, a locally based college researched has an eight-month to one-year barbering program, with everything included, for just under $15,000. Another small private cosmetology school with a very focused cosmetology/barber crossover program has a listed price of $7,000, though a length of only about 700 hrs.
That's a range of over $10,000! There are reasons for the differences in price, but that's a topic for another article. The point we are trying to make is to research your local barber schools and find the best one for your budget and career goals.
More reading: Applying to Cosmetology School: Requirements
