Barbers
Personal Care and Service · SOC 39-5011
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 39-5011 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 0.0%
- Low · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 55/100
- Moderate friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $38,210
- No H-1B offered-wage row for this SOC.
- Projected openings
- 10,100
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change +4.1%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- 0
- FY2025 certified LCAs; 11,099 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
Transition context
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
AI could do ~16.2% of this role but only ~0% is currently done with AI — a large capability-vs-adoption gap.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →Certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications naming this occupation, FY2016–FY2025. A descriptive high-skill labor-demand signal — employer filings, not visa approvals or individual outcomes. Note: one LCA can cover multiple worker positions.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
Common titles: Barber, Barber Shop Operator, Barber Stylist, Stylist
Representative Tasks
- •Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
- •Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
- •Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
- •Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
- •Clean work stations and sweep floors.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Trim client hair.
- •Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
- •Clean tools or equipment.
- •Discuss service options or needs with clients.
- •Clean facilities or work areas.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 2.1% |
| Outlook | Bright ↗ | 52% Bright |
| Median Salary | $38,210 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |