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Barbers

THE JOB


BARBERS perform a variety of services to improve the appearance and
condition of customers' hair, but their main job is cutting hair, adapting
current styles to their customers' wants.

Barbers who are hair stylists specialize in shaping hair to suit the
individual's facial features, hair quality and life style.  After consulting
with the customer, a stylist shampoos, conditions, cuts, dries and shapes
the hair, using the latest techniques.  Hair styling requires greater skill,
care and a lot more time than regular haircutting.

Many Barbers also curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical
solutions and equipment.  Barbers also give shaves, shape and trim beards
and mustaches and give facial or scalp massages.  Barbers may keep card
files on their clientele.  After each visit they note work done, products
used and fees charged.  A barber may recommend and sell the products used by
the shop.

Some Barbers measure, fit and groom toupees.  Some offer a service called
hair analysis.  They may use their own microscopes and testing devices or
send clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories to identify hair
problems and suggest conditioning treatments.

Barbers are responsible for keeping scissors, combs, and other instruments
sterilized and in good condition.  They clean their work stations and may
sweep the shop.  Shop owners and managers have additional responsibilities:
ordering supplies, keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising
personnel.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Barber shops are located in many different localities:  residential
neighborhoods, downtown business districts, suburban shopping centers,
airports and hotels.

Shops ordinarily are attractive, clean and well lighted.  They vary in size
from one to five or more chairs.  Large hair styling salons may be divided
into different work areas, including styling stations, shampoo rooms, and
hair analysis laboratories. In most shops, Barbers do their work in one,
relatively small area.  The job is not strenuous, but since Barbers stand
for most of the day, with their arms at shoulder level, it may be
physically tiring.  They occasionally develop allergic reactions to hair
processing chemicals.  Routine use of protective rubber gloves generally
prevents this problem.

Barbers may belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, AFL-CIO
in Southern California or the Retail Clerks Union in the northern part of
the State.  Fewer than half of the shops in the State are covered by union
contracts.

Barbers usually provide their own tools and basic supplies-clippers,
scissors, combs, and smocks-which cost about $200.  Stylists are responsible
for their shampoo, solutions, and styling products.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated  number of workers in 1993          1,210
Estimated number of workers in 2005           1,140
Projected Growth 1993-2005                      -6%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   400

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.) 

There are over 17,000 Barbers licensed by the State of California; however,
the actual number of Barbers who are working at their trade is unknown.
Employment indicators show that jobs are declining.  However, most Barbers
are self-employed, either in their own shops or in shops where they rent a
chair from the owner, and are not counted in employment surveys.

Barber schools report that employers' demand for trained Barbers far exceeds
the supply of graduates despite full classes.  

There will be job openings as Barbers leave the labor market or take other
kinds of jobs.  In addition, there will always be jobs for Barbers with
creative abilities, sound job skills and a faithful following.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Barbers generally earn either a commission or a set fee for each service
performed or a guaranteed weekly wage, whichever is higher.  Commissions
range from 40 percent to 80 percent of the gross earnings of the
station at which the Barber works.  Typical hourly earnings for beginners
start at minimum wage, but the median wage for Barbers in California is
$5.45 per hour.  Earnings usually depend on the size, type and location of
the shop.  With experience, Barbers are capable of earning up to $20.00 or
more an hour.  Barbers may receive a commission on products they sell, and
most of them receive tips.  State law requires that overtime be paid at time
and a half or double time.  Fringe benefits are minimal; very few Barbers
receive benefits such as paid vacations or medical insurance.

The basic workweek for Barbers is 40 hours, usually including evenings or
weekends.  Days and hours vary with different shops or salons, depending 
upon location and clientele.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Barbers practicing in California must be licensed by the State Board of
Barbering and Cosmetology.  Those being examined must be at least 17 years
old, have a ninth grade (or equivalent) education and complete an approved
barber course.  Graduates take a written, oral and practical examination in
all aspects of barbering, including styling.  

The second way to qualify for a license is through a two-year apprenticeship
program sponsored by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC).
The program includes classroom instruction and full-time, paid on-the-job
training.  Apprentices work under the close supervision of a licensed Barber
in a licensed shop.  At the end of two years, they are eligible to take the
State Board exam.  Apprenticeships are available in many metropolitan areas
through the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of
Apprenticeship Standards.  


ADVANCEMENT

In some areas, the JATC, barber colleges or manufacturers sponsor advanced
courses for registered Barbers wanting to improve their skills.  Some
experienced Barbers become shop managers or operate their own shops.  A few
complete the additional requirements to become licensed as barber college
instructors.  Others get jobs with manufacturers of barber products,
demonstrating new styles and techniques.


FINDING THE JOB

Job seekers should ask for leads from their college, since employers often
contact schools when openings are available.  Some employers may visit
schools to watch students work on customers' hair before they hire.  Job
seekers should apply directly to shops, contact their union and register
with the California Employment Development Department Job Services. Jobs are
also listed in newspaper help wanted ads.  Some employers, particularly in
large shops, do not need to actively recruit.  They interview job seekers
who apply in person and contact those who qualify when suitable openings
occur.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

California State Board of Barbering
and Cosmetology Examiners
400 R Street, Suite 4080
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-7061
http://www.dca.ca.gov/

California Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Apprenticeship Standards
2424 Arden Way, Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 263-2877
http://www.dir.ca.gov/das/das.html

California Barber College Association
2645 El Camino Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 482-0871

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Cosmetologists       No.  58


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed.,1991)
Barber                330.371-010
Barber Apprentice     330.371-014


OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Barbers                    680020


Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.