• Barbers, normally work in barbershops cutting and styling hair."new town barber stylist" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: striatic (hobvias sudoneighm) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

History

• The word barber derives from the Latin word "barba," meaning "beard." A barber is a person who cuts, styles, shapes and shaves, scalp hair or hair on the beard. According to Barberpolesdirect.com this is one of the oldest professions, dating back before Christ. In addition, barbers in the Middle Ages served as herbalists, dentists and blood letters. They were called barber surgeons.
  
  

Terminology

• Typically referred to as a barber, this profession actually comes under the umbrella term "hairdresser." A hairdresser describes anyone who cuts or styles hair, to maintain or alter a person's image. This change may be as a result of coloring, cutting or texture techniques. Barbers used to just work with straight razors, but now they can use single blade razors, straight razors, shavers, trimmers and clippers.
  
  

Job Description

• Barbers work in an environment very similar to hairdressers, and salon hair stylists, but the location is called a barbershop. Although historically barbers cut both scalp hair and facial hair, in the U.S. they mainly just focus on simple hair cutting. Barbers are likened to cosmetologists in the way that they also color, perm and relax hair, as well as administer facials and shave. In addition to working in a barbershop, barbers can also work in male salons.
  
  

Salary

• According to Payscale.com, a study conducted in October of 2009 revealed that the average pay for a barber within their first four years of service, is between $15,000 and $35,000. They also state that the average pay for a barber after five to nine years of employment goes up to $36,000; after 10 to 19 years of service, pay goes up to $41,000; and 20 or more years of service is up to $45,000.
  
  

Qualifications

• In order to become a barber, you will need to first complete a basic High School Diploma, or GED program before you are able to take the required courses. Depending on the state that you live in, you may be required to apply for a cosmetology licensed at a state-licensed cosmetology school or barber school. Each school has a different requirement of how long you need to attend in order to receive this certification. The average time is around nine months.