‘Skip the doctor-engineer race, barbering pays more’: Jawed Habib’s fact-based reality check for parents

India’s familiar advice to “become a doctor or engineer” may no longer reflect how the job market actually works. Celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib, whose father and forefathers served Lord Mounbettan, Nehru and Gandhi family, says the numbers tell a very different story, arguing that the country’s barbering workforce is not only massive but also financially viable for millions. He claimed that the country’s hairdressing workforce could be far larger than its pool of doctors and engineers combined, pointing to the sheer scale of the salon industry.

A simple calculation that raises eyebrows

Speaking on the Startup Pedia Podcast hosted by co-founder Jameel Akhter, Habib highlighted numbers that rarely enter mainstream career discussions.

Also Read: Jawed Habib explains why your father & grandfather have more hair than you


"First of all, 3 crore salons are running in this country, with about three people working in each one. So, a population of 9 to 10 crore people is in the haircutting business. We don't even have that many doctors or engineers. There aren't even as many anchors as there are barbers," Jawed Habib tells Jameel Akhter, co-founder of Startup Pedia and podcast host.

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The estimate, he suggested, shows that barbering is one of the largest employment sectors in the country, even if it rarely gets discussed in career counselling conversations.

Why the profession still struggles for respect

Despite its scale, hairdressing continues to sit low on the list of “aspirational” careers for many Indian families. Habib pointed to a deeper social reason behind this hesitation.

He explains that a 3-month barber training course costing about Rs 50,000 can help someone start earning quickly. In many cases, professionals recover their investment within the first three months of work.

After that, income depends purely on skill, effort, and reputation. Some hairstylists earn Rs 5–10 lakh or more, depending on their expertise.

The stigma behind the scissors

According to Habib, the hesitation is not just about money or education. He linked it to long-standing caste-based views that have historically reduced the dignity associated with barbering.

This social baggage, he noted, makes it harder for the profession to gain the same respect as more conventional career paths, regardless of how many people depend on it for their livelihood.

"Today, the profession has evolved far beyond the traditional image. The salon industry now includes specialised roles like hair experts, colour specialists, beauty professionals, and makeup artists, each requiring dedicated training and skills," he said.

Habib believes that what once started as a simple community service has now grown into a large professional industry that deserves the same respect as any other skilled career.

A profession with deeper roots

Habib also reminded listeners that barbers once played a broader role in society. Before the rise of modern healthcare, they were involved in basic medical tasks in many communities, including handling teeth and minor bone-related issues.

The comments have sparked fresh debate online about how careers are valued in India. While engineering and medicine remain popular choices, Habib’s argument shifts the focus to scale, demand, and earning potential.

His message to parents is simple: look beyond traditional labels. In a country where crores already work in the grooming business, barbering may not just be an alternative, it may be a practical and rewarding path hiding in plain sight.