Barbers
Official O*NET title: Barbers (39-5011.00)
Also called: barber shop operator, barber stylist, hair stylist, stylist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing barbers work
2 of 18 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 11%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Clean work stations and sweep floors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Shampoo hair (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Order supplies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide face, neck, and scalp massages (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide skin care and nail treatments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis — no recorded AI use
- Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques”. Try the prompt for: “Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and barbers
Will AI replace barbers?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 2 of the 18 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 18 of the 20 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which barber tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques; suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.
Which barber tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: 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; question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 32% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a barber start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Barbers ranks #450 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #16 of 23 in Personal Care & Services.
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