203 West 15th Avenue Suite 108 Anchorage, AK 99501
Accredited School
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
1,650 education hours or 2,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
You must renew your license every 2 years.
0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
The average salary for barbers in Alaska is $42,995 ($20.67/hour). This is higher than the national average of $30,150 ($14.50/hour).
There is a predicted 7% job increase for barbers between 2018-2028 nationally.
Barbers are hairdressers who specialize in men's hair, giving haircuts, trimming beards, shaving men, and more. They also follow trends and give styling advice to their clients. They generally get to spend their day in the company of their male clients, and often with other barbers as. They usually work in barbershops dedicated to the grooming needs of men, although some work in salons that cater to both men and women, or in special settings. Spending your time catering to the appearance of men can be an enjoyable way to pass the time, and a good way to earn a decent living while enjoying yourself in a social atmosphere.
Most barbers tend to develop a loyal clientele and customer relationships that develop over time and can be a source of personal satisfaction. Male customers tend to feel better about themselves after they have enjoyed the ministrations and grooming provided by a barber, and so this kind of work provides a service as well as a feel-good experience that men enjoy. The experience of being a barber in the state of Alaska can be a rewarding and satisfying one that can enable you to make a living in a most agreeable way!
State License Requirements
1,650 Education Hours OR 2,000 Apprentice Hours
Required to earn a barbering license
Most states require that students in barber school be a high school graduate or equivalent and that they be trained at a licensed barber school. Most of the curricula in these schools can be completed in under a year. At these schools, you will learn about styling men's hair, cutting hair, trimming beards, and shaving. A significant portion of the curriculum involves hands-on practice on live customers in real barber shops. There are also apprenticeship programs where a barber-trainee can work with an experienced barber, usually over a period of two years, and learn the trade. If you go this route, you may receive pay for your work with customers, and you may take some classroom courses as well. There may be tuition assistance available to help pay the cost of the classroom courses. Classroom education may cover skin care, consultations, and hair styling.
License Renewal
2 Years
License renewal period
0 Hours
Continuing education required
Alaska licensees must renew their licenses every odd-numbered year by the end of August. It costs $140 to renew a barber specialist license as long as you renew by the due date. The cost goes up to $180 after August 31.
Alaska Barbering Careers
$42,995
Average yearly salary for barbering in Alaska
Barbers in Alaska earn an average wage of $42,995, considerably higher than in many other states. There may be a higher percentage of "rugged, outdoors-type" of men in Alaska, who rely on barbers to keep their facial hair well groomed. Projected job growth is expected to be 7%, making the future prospects for someone aspiring to be positive in outlook.
Because barbers are on their feet all day, physical stamina is very important. Many work part time, and nearly half were self-employed in 2012. All barbers working in the state of Alaska must be licensed, which requires passing an exam containing both theoretical and practical components. Curtis Smith is a celebrity barber who grooms some of hip-hop's biggest stars, for example, Diddy and Usher, among others. He has been Diddy's barber and close friend for more than 13 years, and thus, people have seen his cuts on posters, album covers, and fashion billboards all over the world. Some say that his greatest creation was the "9CHawkie" haircut he developed for Diddy's 2004 "Vote or Die" campaign. Smith's creative Mohawk became a staple in hip-hop and sports, turning up all over. Smith believes that the "perfect look" is always an extension of the individual. Smith is the recipient of many awards, and is the founder of the Barber's Round Table, a forum for networking among barbers (www.complex.com/music/2011/12).
With “North To The Future” as a state motto, Alaska residents have always made it a point to aim high in whatever they do. This extends to the various careers they pursue, including barbering. These groups go a long way towards those goals.
