Jobs Similar to Barbers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to barbers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, Shampooers and Skincare Specialists.
Barbers: $38,210 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Barbers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsSame group | 75% | $35,790−6% | Training or associate |
| 2 | ShampooersSame group | 74% | $32,600−15% | High school |
| 3 | Skincare SpecialistsSame group | 73% | $45,330+19% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Bartenders | 72% | $34,340−10% | High school |
| 5 | Amusement and Recreation Attendants | 71% | $32,150−16% | High school |
| 6 | Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | 70% | $36,300−5% | High school |
| 7 | Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 69% | $35,510−7% | High school |
| 8 | Manicurists and PedicuristsSame group | 69% | $35,760−6% | High school |
| 9 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 69% | $35,360−7% | High school |
| 10 | Funeral Attendants | 68% | $35,680−7% | High school |
| 11 | Opticians, Dispensing | 68% | $47,260+24% | Training or associate |
| 12 | Crossing Guards and Flaggers | 68% | $38,1000% | High school |
| 13 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 68% | $33,580−12% | High school |
| 14 | Waiters and Waitresses | 68% | $35,230−8% | High school |
| 15 | Baristas | 67% | $31,200Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 16 | Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | 67% | $55,010+44% | Training or associate |
| 17 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 67% | $33,980−11% | High school |
| 18 | Gambling Dealers | 67% | $34,320−10% | High school |
| 19 | Embalmers | 66% | $58,780+54% | Training or associate |
| 20 | Baggage Porters and Bellhops | 66% | $37,080−3% | High school |
- 1Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
75% similar · $35,790 (−6%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 2Shampooers
74% similar · $32,600 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 3Skincare Specialists
73% similar · $45,330 (+19%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Bartenders
72% similar · $34,340 (−10%) · High school
- 5Amusement and Recreation Attendants
71% similar · $32,150 (−16%) · High school
- 6Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
70% similar · $36,300 (−5%) · High school
- 7Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
69% similar · $35,510 (−7%) · High school
- 8Manicurists and Pedicurists
69% similar · $35,760 (−6%) · High school · Same group
- 9Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
69% similar · $35,360 (−7%) · High school
- 10Funeral Attendants
68% similar · $35,680 (−7%) · High school
- 11Opticians, Dispensing
68% similar · $47,260 (+24%) · Training or associate
- 12Crossing Guards and Flaggers
68% similar · $38,100 (0%) · High school
- 13Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
68% similar · $33,580 (−12%) · High school
- 14Waiters and Waitresses
68% similar · $35,230 (−8%) · High school
- 15Baristas
67% similar · $31,200 (broader group) · High school
- 16Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
67% similar · $55,010 (+44%) · Training or associate
- 17Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
67% similar · $33,980 (−11%) · High school
- 18Gambling Dealers
67% similar · $34,320 (−10%) · High school
- 19Embalmers
66% similar · $58,780 (+54%) · Training or associate
- 20Baggage Porters and Bellhops
66% similar · $37,080 (−3%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than barbers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Shampooers74% similar · High school
- Bartenders72% similar · High school
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants71% similar · High school
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants70% similar · High school
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners69% similar · High school
- Manicurists and Pedicurists69% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for barbers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where barbers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like barbers
What jobs are most similar to barbers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (75% similar), Shampooers (74% similar), Skincare Specialists (73% similar), Bartenders (72% similar) and Amusement and Recreation Attendants (71% similar).
Which jobs like barbers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Embalmers ($58,780, +54%; usually training or an associate degree), Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers ($55,010, +44%; usually training or an associate degree) and Opticians (Dispensing) ($47,260, +24%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with barbers ($38,210). Without more preparation than barbers usually need: Embalmers, Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers and Opticians (Dispensing).
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.