Barber Job Description: Duties, Skills & Responsibilities

Hiring a great barber is about more than finding someone who can do a tight fade. You’re looking for a mix of technical skill, customer service, and reliability—and your barber job description is where that search starts.

A clear, accurate job post helps you attract barbers who understand what you expect: the services you offer, how busy your shop is, how you pay, and what kind of culture they’re joining.

This guide walks through what barbers do, the skills and qualifications to look for, how to describe the role, and an easy barber job description template you can use right away.

TL;DR: Barber job description

• What barbers do: They cut and style hair, shape beards, do hot towel shaves, recommend products, and keep strict sanitation standards while delivering a great client experience.
• Key responsibilities: Technical cutting and shaving, quick consultations, managing appointments and walk-ins, rebooking clients, suggesting retail, and basic shop cleanups.
• Skills and qualifications: Strong clipper and scissor skills (fades, shaves, beard grooming), solid sanitation and safety habits, plus communication, time management, and customer service. Most roles require a current state barber license.
• Work environment & schedule: Barbers work in shops or salons (sometimes mobile or booth rentals), typically on a schedule that includes weekends, some evenings, and income that mixes commission or booth rent with tips and retail.
• Master barbers: Master barbers have advanced training, years of experience, and a wider service range (like precision fades and designs), often with a higher-level license and mentoring responsibilities.
• For hiring managers: Use a clear role summary, list only essential duties, be upfront about schedule and pay, and highlight shop culture.

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Barber job description (copy-and-paste example)

Use this ready-made barber job description as a base, then tweak the details so it matches your shop, your schedule, and your team.

Job title: Barber

Location: [City, State]

Role summary

We’re looking for a skilled, customer-focused barber to join our team at [Shop Name]. You’ll provide haircuts, shaves, fades, and beard services, recommend products, and help keep our shop clean, welcoming, and running smoothly. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in their craft, enjoys building regular clientele, and does their best work in a fast-paced barbershop environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide high-quality haircuts, fades, trims, and restyles based on client requests and trends
• Perform hot towel shaves, beard shaping, and facial hair grooming
• Consult with clients on style goals, maintenance, and product recommendations
• Maintain a clean and sanitized workstation and follow all health and safety guidelines
• Disinfect and maintain tools (clippers, scissors, razors, combs) between clients
• Manage appointments and walk-ins to keep the day running on time
• Rebook clients and encourage repeat visits through great service
• Promote and sell retail products to support client results at home
• Support overall shop upkeep, including sweeping, laundry, trash, and closing duties

Qualifications

• Current [State] barber license (required)
• Proven experience as a barber or strong portfolio from barber school/apprenticeship
• Proficiency with clippers, scissors, and razor techniques (fades, tapers, line-ups, shaves)
• Solid understanding of sanitation and safety regulations
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Reliable, punctual, and comfortable working in a team environment

Working conditions and schedule

• In-person role in a busy barbershop setting
• Ability to stand for long periods and work with your hands throughout the day
• Schedule includes weekends and some evenings; [full-time / part-time]
• [Commission, hourly + commission, or booth rent] structure, plus tips

Pay & benefits

• [Hourly range or commission % / booth rent details]
• [Bonus, retail commission, or incentive details, if applicable]
• [Any benefits offered: PTO, health benefits, education/training support, etc.]

About [Shop Name]

[1–2 sentences about your shop: vibe, clientele, values. Example: “We’re a neighborhood shop known for clean fades, classic cuts, and a relaxed but professional atmosphere. We value consistency, respect, and commitment to craft.”]

How to apply
Send your resume, portfolio/Instagram handle, and a brief note about your experience to [email] or apply through [link].

Homebase tip: Need more help crafting a job description that catches the right candidate’s eye? Check out these job posting examples.

What does a barber do? Key duties and responsibilities

Barbers do a lot more than cut hair. Here’s how the role breaks down in day-to-day duties and responsibilities.

Barber responsibilities

At a high level, barbers:

• Cut, trim, and style hair
• Shave, shape, and groom facial hair
• Maintain a clean, safe workspace
• Build relationships with clients and encourage repeat visits

From there, the day-to-day breaks into three main areas.

Technical duties

• Haircuts and styles: A great barber can deliver a wide range of looks, including fades, tapers, line-ups, buzz cuts, classic cuts, and full restyles using clippers and scissors.
• Shaves and beard work: They provide hot towel shaves, razor line-ups, and detailed beard trims and shaping so facial hair matches the overall cut and style.
• Product knowledge: Understand which products work best for different hair types and styles and can explain how clients should use them at home.
• Sanitation standards: Barbers disinfect tools between clients, manage towels and linens, and follow local health and safety codes without cutting corners.
• Tool maintenance: Regularly clean and oil clippers, sharpen blades, and replace guards or tools as needed to keep every service safe and precise.

Customer service duties

• Consultations: A strong barber asks the right questions about length, style, lifestyle, and maintenance before the first cut so everyone’s on the same page.
• Appointment management: The role involves juggling a mix of booked clients and walk-ins while staying as close to schedule as possible, even on busy days.
• Rebooking clients: Great barbers actively encourage clients to pre-book their next cut or shave so their look stays sharp and the chair stays full.
• Upselling and retail: In the chair, opportunities to recommend add-on services (like a beard trim with a cut) and retail products that genuinely help clients maintain their style are part of the job.

Shop upkeep

• Cleaning chairs, mirrors, and stations between clients
• Sweeping floors and keeping waiting areas tidy
• Disinfecting tools and surfaces throughout the day
• Restocking supplies like neck strips, blades, towels, and products

A good barber sees shop upkeep as part of the job, not something that’s “someone else’s problem.”

Barber skills and qualifications

Required skills

• Technical cutting skills: Barbers are confident with clippers and scissors, especially when it comes to fades, tapers, and clean line-ups.
• Shaving techniques: The role calls for comfort with straight-razor shaves, edging, and hot towel services that feel precise and relaxing.
• Beard grooming: This includes shaping, trimming, and lining beards and mustaches so they complement the haircut, not compete with it.
• Sanitation & safety: A professional barber knows and follows state board and local health rules, keeping tools, stations, and services safe at all times.

Soft skills

• Communication: Great barbers can translate vague requests (“just clean it up”) into specific cuts and explain what’s realistic for the client’s hair.
• Customer service: The job suits someone who’s friendly, attentive, and focused on building long-term client relationships—not just one-off appointments.
• Time management: Staying on schedule without rushing the work is key, especially on busy weekends and walk-in days.
• Problem-solving: When last-minute schedule changes, unhappy clients, or equipment issues pop up, a steady barber handles them calmly and professionally.

Certifications & licensing

Most roles require:

• A state barber license (or cosmetology license, depending on local rules)
• Up-to-date sanitation and safety training as required by your state board
• In some cases, CPR/first aid or bloodborne pathogen training

You can streamline hiring and onboarding licensed barbers using Homebase’s hiring and onboarding tools to collect documents, signatures, and required forms in one place.

Barber job profile: overview of the role

Barbers typically work in:

• Traditional barbershops: These are usually focused on men’s cuts, fades, shaves, and beard work.
• Salons: Salons provide mixed services and broader clientele.
• Mobile setups: Customers can enjoy the flexibility of having their barber travel to their homes, events, or corporate locations.
• Booth rental: This means renting a chair and running your own mini-business inside a shop.

Typical clients range anywhere from professionals looking to keep sharp, kids, students, and seniors. Some shops niche down into specific styles (e.g., urban fades, classic barbershop, luxury grooming).

Schedule:
Most barbers work weekends and some evenings, since that’s when clients book. Full-time barbers often aim for 30–40+ hours a week behind the chair.

Income structure:

• Commission: Barbers receive a percentage of the revenue from their services (and sometimes retail), paid out each pay period.
• Booth rent: Barbers will receive a fixed weekly/monthly fee, and they get to keep what’s left after expenses.
• Hourly and commission: A base hourly rate plus a commission on services/retail.

Tips are a major part of total earnings in almost every model.

Day in the life of a barber

Here’s a quick “day in the life” snapshot you can adapt into your job ads.

The day starts with unlocking the shop, turning on lights and music, checking the booking app, and setting up your station: clean tools, fresh blades, towels, and product display. The first appointments roll in—regulars who know exactly what they want, and new clients who need more consultation.

You move through a mix of booked clients and walk-ins: fades, beard trims, hot towel shaves, quick clean-ups. Between each client, you sweep, sanitize tools, reset your chair, and grab a drink of water. Throughout the day you’re checking people in, running on-time services, recommending products, and rebooking clients before they walk out.

The last part of the shift is for closing duties: deep cleaning stations, disinfecting tools, restocking products and supplies, taking out trash, and making sure the shop is ready for the next day.

Master barber meaning: what sets them apart

A master barber is generally considered a barber who has reached an advanced level of skill and experience, often backed by additional training or a higher-tier license, depending on the state.

What typically distinguishes a master barber from novices:

• Advanced licensing: Some states formally recognize “master” or “senior” barber licenses with expanded services.
• Experience: Years behind the chair, with a deep portfolio of cuts, shaves, and styles.
• Specialties: Precision fades, razor shaves, intricate designs, texture work, or specialty services.
• Leadership: Training apprentices, mentoring junior barbers, helping set standards for the shop.
• Earning potential: Often higher rates, stronger client books, and sometimes a share of shop leadership or ownership.

Once you hire your barbers, you’ll need solid systems to keep things running smoothly. Homebase can help you manage their schedules, track hours, and run payroll in one place so you spend less time on admin and more time keeping chairs full.

How to write a great barber job description

Start with a clear role summary

In 2 or 3 sentences, explain what the barber will do, what kind of shop you are, and who they’ll serve. Mention your main services (cuts, fades, shaves, beards) and your clientele.

List only essential responsibilities

Focus on 5–10 core duties: services offered, sanitation, client care, rebooking, retail, and basic shop upkeep. Too many bullets and candidates will skim or tune out.

Be upfront about schedule expectations

State if you need weekends, evenings, or specific days. This filters out people who can’t meet those needs and avoids surprises later.

Highlight shop culture & growth opportunities

Include a short line or two about your vibe (busy, technical, family-friendly, upscale) and where a barber can grow, such as building a clientele, expanding skills, moving into leadership.

Include pay structure and benefits

Clarify whether the role is commission, hourly + commission, or booth rent, and mention tips and any benefits or perks. Transparent pay details tend to attract more qualified applicants.

Once you’ve written your barber job description, you can post it and manage applicants in one place with Homebase’s hiring and onboarding tools.

Barber job description templates

Full-time barber job description

We’re hiring a full-time barber at [Shop Name] to provide high-quality cuts, fades, and beard services for our busy [neighborhood/area] shop. You’ll work a consistent schedule including weekends, manage a mix of appointments and walk-ins, and help keep the shop clean and welcoming. A current [State] barber license and strong clipper/scissor skills are required.

Part-time / on-call barber

[Shop Name] is looking for a part-time/on-call barber to support our team during peak hours and coverage gaps. This role is ideal for barbers building their clientele or balancing other commitments. You’ll jump into a mix of cuts, fades, and beard trims, follow our sanitation standards, and deliver a great experience for every client. Must hold a valid [State] barber license and be comfortable working some evenings and weekends.

Master barber job description

[Shop Name] is seeking an experienced master barber to lead by example on the floor. In addition to delivering advanced services (e.g. precision fades, razor shaves, beard design) you’ll mentor junior barbers, help shape shop standards, and support training. A current [State] barber license, several years of shop experience, and a strong portfolio are required; experience with leadership or education is a plus.

FAQs about barber job descriptions

What is a good barbershop description?

A good barbershop description briefly explains who you serve, what you specialize in, and what it feels like to work there. For example: “We’re a high-volume neighborhood barbershop known for clean fades, classic cuts, and a relaxed, respectful atmosphere. Our team values punctuality, consistency, and ongoing education.”

What skills do barbers usually have?

Most barbers combine technical skills, like haircutting, fading, shaving, and beard grooming, with strong customer service, communication, time management, and sanitation habits. Many stay up to date on trends, products, and education so they can keep delivering modern styles and a safe, professional experience.

Conclusion

A strong barber job description paints a clear picture of the role, schedule, pay structure, and shop culture so the right people raise their hands.

Use the examples and templates here as a starting point, then customize them for your services and vibe. And once you’ve hired your barbers, tools like Homebase can help you schedule shifts, track time, communicate with your team, and run payroll in one place—so your barbers can stay focused on great cuts while you keep the shop running smoothly.

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