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Barber

Skilled Trades

Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

General

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Clean and sterilize scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
  2. 2Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
  3. 3Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
  4. 4Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
  5. 5Clean work stations and sweep floors.
  6. 6Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using razors.
  7. 7Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
  8. 8Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
  9. 9Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
  10. 10Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
  11. 11Suggest treatments to alleviate hair problems.
  12. 12Order supplies.
  13. 13Provide skin care and nail treatments.
  14. 14Shampoo hair.
  15. 15Keep card files on clientele, recording notes of work done, products used and fees charged after each visit.
  16. 16Recommend and sell lotions, tonics, or other cosmetic supplies.
  17. 17Curl, color, or straighten hair, using special chemical solutions and equipment.
  18. 18Provide face, neck, and scalp massages.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Barber
  • Barbers
  • Stylist
  • Hair Cutter
  • Hairstylist
  • Barber Stylist
  • Licensed Barber
  • Tonsorial Artist
  • Barber Shop Operator

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationPost-secondary certificate

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

BusinessDraws directly on Administration and Management — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EconomicsDraws directly on Administration and Management — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Principles of AccountingDraws directly on Economics and Accounting — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Customer and Personal Service88%
  • Administration and Management63%

    BusinessEconomics

  • English Language63%

    English

  • Economics and Accounting61%

    Principles of AccountingEconomics

  • Psychology60%
  • Mathematics56%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersA little
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentAlmost never

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

0%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

International Pre-U

A-Levels, AUSMAT, IB and more. The flexible premium route, local or overseas.

1–2 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Barbers

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org