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How exposed to AI is a Barber?

Of the 20 tasks O*NET lists for barbers, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 17 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
BarberBarber Shop OperatorBarber StylistStylist
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
20
tasks rated for this occupation
3%
hold a degree, from a survey of 22
13k
people do this job in the US
26 of 31
least protected in personal care

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

3
  • Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers
  • Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel
  • Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit

Cannot be sped up

17
  • Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments
  • Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders
  • 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
  • Clean work stations and sweep floors
  • Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors
  • Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors
  • Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques
  • Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems
  • Order supplies
  • Shampoo hair
  • Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies
  • Measure, fit, and groom hairpieces
  • Identify hair problems, using microscopes and testing devices, or by sending clients' hair samples out to independent laboratories for analysis
  • Provide skin care and nail treatments
  • Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment
  • Provide face, neck, and scalp massages
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.