Barbers
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair, trimming beards, or giving shaves.
AI Impact Summary
Barbers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 20/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 6% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Barbers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Business and Financial Modeling Specialization
by University of Pennsylvania
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
20 tasks analyzed
Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
Clean work stations and sweep floors.
Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces.
Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis.
Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.
Order supplies.
Provide skin care and nail treatments.
Shampoo hair.
Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.
Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies.
Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment.
Provide face, neck, and scalp massages.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 35% | |
| Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% | |
| Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles. | 60Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Clean work stations and sweep floors. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 5% | |
| Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 4% | |
| Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 3% | |
| Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques. | 50.8Observed | 47.3% | 2% | |
| Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems. | 59.48Observed | 38.8% | 2% | |
| Order supplies. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Provide skin care and nail treatments. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Shampoo hair. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies. | 75Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Provide face, neck, and scalp massages. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 27.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$38,960
per year
Mean Wage
$47,800
per year
Employment
18K
workers
Wage Range
$27,770 - $78,440
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsShampooers
18%Median salary: $31,470
Higher risk than 3% of other occupations
Massage Therapists
21%Median salary: $57,950
Higher risk than 8% of other occupations
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
21%Median salary: $35,250
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Manicurists and Pedicurists
22%Median salary: $34,660
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
22%Median salary: $40,860
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Skincare Specialists
23%Median salary: $41,560
Higher risk than 14% of other occupations
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
26%Median salary: $35,950
Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Tour Guides and Escorts
30%Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Costume Attendants
32%Median salary: $54,810
Higher risk than 51% of other occupations
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
41%Median salary: $34,800
Higher risk than 83% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Barbers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change