The reason most barbers are self-employed is actually quite simple: they can earn significantly more money that way.
Barbering is a skilled trade, but haircuts are still priced reasonably for customers. When you factor in minimum wage, National Insurance, VAT, and other employment costs, it becomes very difficult for a barber to earn a decent living as an employee. In many cases, being employed simply doesn’t provide the income needed to make barbering financially sustainable long term.
As a result, self-employment has become the most practical and realistic option for barbers who want to earn properly from their skills.
There are several common ways barbers operate as self-employed professionals:
Out of these options, many barbers prefer working on a percentage of their earnings. The reasons are straightforward:
• On quiet days, there’s no fixed rent to cover
• If a barber is sick or on holiday, they don’t pay for a chair they’re not using
• Earnings and costs stay aligned, which feels fairer and more balanced
Because of this flexibility, percentage-based arrangements are often seen as the fairest way for both the barber and the barbershop to operate.
Self-employment allows barbers to:
• Earn more than they would on wages
• Have greater control over their income
• Work in a structure that reflects the realities of the trade
For many barbers, self-employment isn’t a preference—it’s the only way to make the career financially viable.
