Why Barber Prices Are Higher in 2025 (And Why They Should Be)
Let’s address the question that’s been circulating in shops and social media comments alike: “Why are barbers charging so much now?
The short answer? Because they should have been charging more a long time ago. The long answer? Let’s unpack it.
Barber Pricing Was Frozen While Everything Else Got More Expensive
For over two decades, barbering prices remained virtually untouched. While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 135% since 1990, haircut prices often sat stagnant—hovering around $20 to $30. Barbers were afraid to raise their prices out of fear of losing clients, all while the cost of living, rent, and business expenses continued to rise.
Now, in 2025, we’re seeing the result of that delay. Because prices weren’t adjusted gradually over time, many barber practitioners have had no choice but to increase their rates all at once just to stay afloat. But here’s the issue: we all know the law of nature—too much change at once creates resistance.
And that resistance is real. Clients are pushing back, not necessarily because the service isn’t worth it, but because the jump happened too fast.
The Cost of Doing Business Is Not What It Used to Be
Commercial real estate has gone up. Supplies cost more. Equipment upgrades, cleaning crews to keep the shop tidy, booking platforms, 15-30% tax withholding , and various marketing costs to keep business flowing —all of it requires ongoing investment. And the days of renting a chair and cutting all day for a quick $20 are over.
Modern barber practitioners are more than clipper-holders. They are service providers, curators of experience, and business operators. The overhead isn’t just financial—it’s time, energy, and excellence.
But Let’s Be Honest… Not Everyone Is Taking the Craft Seriously
There’s another layer to this.
Some people who cut hair are trying to justify their prices by buying black gloves, gold chairs, and ring lights—but showing up to work in sweats and slides. And clients are noticing.
Wearing a $5 glove while delivering a $5 effort is not professionalism. It’s performance. And what happens is, clients feel taken advantage of, not because of price—but because of inconsistency. If the service doesn’t match the price point, resistance is justified.
Barbering is a practice—not a hustle. It’s a profession that demands care, structure, and consistency. And unfortunately, some people who decide to cut hair are treating it like a quick money grab, taking themselves and the client experience as a joke.
How Premium Fade League Is Different
At Premium Fade League, pricing is structured and based on value, not hype:
First-Time Clients: $100
Returning Clients: $80 (Haircut + Beard), $65 (Haircut only), $42 (Cleanup)
Preferred Clients: $72 (Haircut + Beard), $55 (Haircut only), $27 (Cleanup)
Every service includes shampoo, hot towel (when applicable), and a punctual, professional and polished experience. But more than that, every detail is designed to solve the problems clients commonly face:
Punctuality and clear scheduling
Clean, professional environment
Presentation and proper dress from your barbering practitioner
Direct communication and consistent quality
Nothing about this is rushed, random, or recycled. It’s a deliberate practice built with structure, respect, and excellence at the core.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the Price, It’s About the Standard
So no—barbering practitioners didn’t just “decide” to start charging more. The industry is finally correcting itself. And while not every practitioner is operating at a professional standard, those who are deserve to be compensated accordingly.
Barbering is not a side hustle. It’s a calling, a craft, and a career. And if the service reflects that level of seriousness, the pricing should too.