How to Become a Barber in the UK
Barbers cut, fade, style and shave men's hair and beards using clippers, scissors and razors. Day to day you consult with clients, handle walk-ins and bookings, keep tools clean and disinfected, and build regulars who come back every few weeks.
You don't need a degree or a licence to cut hair in the UK. Most barbers train through an apprenticeship or a college barbering course, or learn in a shop as a junior. After a year or two of steady practice, many rent a chair and work self-employed.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £27,000
- Mid-career salary
- £28,000 - £35,000
- Senior salary
- £40,000 - £55,000
- Work environment
- Barbershop, mobile
- Time to entry
- 1 - 2 years (NVQ / apprenticeship)
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Beauty and Aesthetics
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: No-degree careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Barber does
Cut, style and shave hair for male clients - in shops or as a self-employed chair renter.
How to become a barber in the UK
The main formal route is the Level 2 Hair Professional apprenticeship, which has separate hairdresser and barber options, completed in a barbershop while paid. Colleges offer Level 2 and Level 3 barbering qualifications from awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and VTCT, often free for 16 to 18 year olds. Private barber academies run shorter courses, so check what qualification you leave with. No registration is required, although qualified barbers can join the Hair and Barber Council's voluntary register. If you go self-employed, you need public liability insurance and must register with HMRC.
- Practise basic clipper work, fades and scissor-over-comb on friends and family to check you enjoy the work before paying for training.
- Apply for barbering apprenticeships or junior barber jobs at local shops, or enrol on a Level 2 barbering course at college.
- Master skin fades, beard shaping, hot towel shaves and razor work until you can produce clean results within a normal appointment slot.
- Build an Instagram or TikTok feed of your cuts with clear before and after shots, tagging the shop to attract new clients.
- Take a Level 3 qualification or advanced courses in areas such as hair design, colour or traditional shaving to stand out and charge more.
- Once you have regular clients, consider renting a chair, arranging public liability insurance and registering as self-employed with HMRC.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Hair Professional apprenticeship (barber option) | Around 18-24 months | Paid, training funded | School leavers |
| College Level 2 or 3 barbering course | 1-2 years | Often free for 16-18s | Gaining a qualification first |
| Private barber academy | A few weeks to months | Varies by provider | Adults retraining quickly |
How long it takes
Most barbers take 1 to 2 years to qualify through a college course or apprenticeship, and you can often start cutting paying clients as a junior within months.
Barber salary in the UK
Junior and newly qualified barbers usually earn around £24,000 to £27,000, often a mix of basic pay, commission and tips. Experienced barbers with a full column typically make £28,000 to £35,000. Senior barbers, educators and shop owners can earn £40,000 to £55,000. Self-employed chair renters keep their takings after rent, so income depends on prices, location, how busy they are and how many clients rebook. City centre shops and barbers known for fades or beard work tend to charge more.
Key skills
- Cutting & styling
- Customer service
- Speed
- Hygiene
Barber FAQs
How do I become a barber in the UK?
Train through a barbering apprenticeship, a Level 2 or 3 college course, or a junior role in a barbershop. Build speed and confidence with fades, beards and shaves, then grow a client base, either employed or renting a chair.
Do you need a qualification to be a barber?
Not legally. Anyone can cut hair in the UK, but most shops prefer at least a Level 2 barbering qualification or apprenticeship, and insurers may ask about your training. A qualification also helps if you later teach or open a shop.
How much do barbers earn?
Junior barbers usually earn £24,000 to £27,000 including commission and tips. Experienced barbers typically make £28,000 to £35,000, and senior barbers, educators and shop owners can earn £40,000 to £55,000.
Can I rent a chair as a barber?
Yes. Chair renting means paying the shop owner a weekly fee or share of takings and working self-employed. You keep the rest, but you need your own clients, insurance and tools, and you must register with HMRC and do a tax return.
Is Barber right for you?
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Still deciding whether barber is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.