In a world where demand for specific skills is hard to predict it makes sense to choose a career that won’t go out of fashion any time soon. This is especially true if you choose a purely academic area of study.

You see, there’s little demand for graduates with degrees in the liberal arts. But there’s huge demand for graduates with practical skills – ones that employers need.

Becoming a barber is a perfect example of this, because although trends in hairstyles change from one generation to the next, the reality is that hair itself isn’t going to go out of fashion any time soon.

Central Oklahoma College are proud to offer a comprehensive barbering course, designed with the specific intent of teaching you everything you need to know to begin an entry-level career as a licensed barber.

Employment Opportunities

You probably have a stereotypical image of a barber as being that old guy your father and/or grandfather went to once a month for a haircut, and maybe a shave. The job responsibilities are very much the same, but modern barber shops are places where you’ll find guys of all ages. Beards are now more fashionable than they have been in decades, so there’s a growing demand for trained barbers for that alone.

In fact, there’s an estimated 60,000 barber shops spread across the United States, so there are more than enough employment opportunities to go around with strong growth predicted for barber jobs all the way through to 2024.

A barber – or to use their official title of tonsorial artist  – is responsible for not only the washing and cutting of hair, but also for beard shaping and care, scalp massage, shaving, facial massage, and most other aspects of male grooming.

Earning Potential

A newly-qualified barber has an earning potential of around US$31,000 per year, rising to $41,000 per year with 2 – 4 years of experience. Once you have more than 5 years of experience your income potential as an established and experienced barber can be up to US$69,000 per year, depending on what state you work in.

If you place this in direct comparison to many university graduates who are often forced to take unpaid internships, you can see why becoming a barber is a smart financial choice for you to make.

Your income potential is obviously based on the barber shop you’re working in, and the number of hours worked. The majority of barbers in the United States work 40 hours per week, but some choose to work as little as 10 – 20 hours per week depending on their salary.

Our Training Course

The barbering course offered by Central Oklahoma College covers a broad range of skill sets and knowledge, including safety and disinfection procedures, chemistry, facial massage, hair cutting, men’s shaving and beard design. You are taught everything you need to know, both in terms of theory and practical skills.

Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated all the competencies required for the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering Examination. All states require that barbers are licensed – there are no exceptions.

Because this is a people-facing job, candidates with strong communications skills tend to do quite well in the employment market.

Your Future

Take the first step to a rewarding career as a barber by contacting one of the course admittance counselors at Central Oklahoma College today.

You will gain the types of skills that can serve you for the rest of your life.