Barber
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Barber?
Barbers cut, trim, and style hair, give shaves, and maintain facial hair for clients. They work in barbershops, salons, and sometimes independently. Every state requires a barber license, obtained by completing a state-approved barber program (typically 1,000–1,500 hours) and passing written and practical exams. Barber licensing is separate from cosmetology in most states, with its own training requirements and scope of practice.
The Landscape
While every state requires a barber license, the national median salary sits around $38,960, revealing vast income disparities depending on where you practice. This profession shows strong resilience against automation, with a low AI exposure of -0.73, indicating a stable future. However, the range from Mississippi's median of $24,110 to the District of Columbia's $102,360 highlights that location is paramount for earning potential.
Regional patterns reveal distinct earning landscapes; the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states generally offer higher pay, with New Jersey providing a respectable $49,360 for just 900 training hours, a surprisingly low barrier for its income. The Pacific Northwest, exemplified by Washington's $70,750 median for 1,000 hours, stands out for high earnings despite moderate training requirements. Conversely, many Southern states, like Arkansas and Mississippi, often require 1,500 hours of training for significantly lower pay, demonstrating that a lengthy educational path does not always correlate with higher income. Iowa is a surprising outlier, second nationally at $78,480, which for its 1,550 hours and relatively small number of employed barbers, suggests high demand or specialized market conditions.
Beyond salary, state-to-state differences in licensing requirements are substantial, impacting your initial career path. Training hours vary dramatically, from a brief 800 in Maine and New Hampshire to a demanding 1,800 in Ohio, Michigan, and Nebraska. Many states, including Florida and Oregon, don't require a practical exam, easing the initial licensure burden, while others like North Carolina and Georgia implement a two-tier system, requiring an apprenticeship before full licensure. These variations mean the path to becoming a licensed barber can be vastly different across state lines, influencing both time commitment and initial career flexibility.
Barber by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $27,850 | -28.5% | 8-12 months |
| Alaska | Yes | — | — | Varies (typically 10-12 months for school, longer for apprenticeship) |
| Arizona | Yes | $32,840 | -15.7% | 9-12 months |
| Arkansas | Yes | $24,700 | -36.6% | 9-10 months |
| California | Yes | $36,590 | -6.1% | Varies (e.g., 8-12 months for school, 2 years for apprenticeship) |
| Colorado | Yes | $56,690 | +45.5% | Varies (typically 10-12 months for education, plus exam and application processing) |
| Connecticut | Yes | $35,810 | -8.1% | 8-12 months |
| Delaware | Yes | — | — | 10-14 months (school), 18-36 months (apprenticeship) |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $102,360 | +162.7% | 9-12 months (full-time program) |
| Florida | Yes | $46,900 | +20.4% | 6-12 months |
| Georgia | Yes | $47,630 | +22.3% | 9-18 months |
| Hawaii | Yes | — | — | Approximately 10-12 months for full-time training program. |
| Idaho | Yes | — | — | 7-10 months |
| Illinois | Yes | $36,300 | -6.8% | 10-12 months (full-time) or 12-18 months (part-time) |
| Indiana | Yes | $43,590 | +11.9% | approximately 10-14 months |
| Iowa | Yes | $78,480 | +101.4% | 11-15 months (school) or 12-14 months (apprenticeship) |
| Kansas | Yes | — | — | Approximately 8-12 months (based on 1200-1500 hours) |
| Kentucky | Yes | $48,930 | +25.6% | 1500 hours of training + 6-9 months apprenticeship |
| Louisiana | Yes | $49,850 | +28.0% | 12-18.5 months for barber college, 2 years for apprenticeship |
| Maine | Yes | $36,460 | -6.4% | 9-15 months for schooling, plus exam and application processing |
| Maryland | Yes | $46,530 | +19.4% | 9-12 months |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $48,990 | +25.7% | 6 months minimum |
| Michigan | Yes | $29,390 | -24.6% | 12-18 months |
| Minnesota | Yes | $37,250 | -4.4% | 10-14 months |
| Mississippi | Yes | $24,110 | -38.1% | — |
| Missouri | Yes | $44,390 | +13.9% | 8-12 months |
| Montana | Yes | — | — | Approximately 7-10 months (for 1100-hour program) |
| Nebraska | Yes | — | — | 12-18 months |
| Nevada | Yes | — | — | Approximately 2.5-3 years (1500 hours education + 18 months apprenticeship) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | — | — | 6-9 months (for 800-hour program) |
| New Jersey | Yes | $49,360 | +26.7% | 6-12 months |
| New Mexico | Yes | — | — | 9-12 months |
| New York | Yes | $32,050 | -17.7% | Varies by program/apprenticeship |
| North Carolina | Yes | $64,290 | +65.0% | Approximately 23-27 months (11-15 months education + 12 months apprenticeship) |
| North Dakota | Yes | $34,100 | -12.5% | Approximately 23-27 months (11-15 months education + 12 months apprenticeship) |
| Ohio | Yes | $46,930 | +20.5% | 12-18 months |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $31,450 | -19.3% | 10-14 months |
| Oregon | Yes | — | — | 8-12 months |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $42,570 | +9.3% | at least 9 months |
| Rhode Island | Yes | — | — | 8-12 months |
| South Carolina | Yes | $37,300 | -4.3% | Varies (10-14 months for 1500-hour program, 12 months for 1920-hour apprenticeship) |
| South Dakota | Yes | — | — | At least 21 months (9 months education + 12 months apprenticeship) |
| Tennessee | Yes | $31,230 | -19.8% | — |
| Texas | Yes | $36,400 | -6.6% | 7-14 months |
| Utah | Yes | $25,290 | -35.1% | 7-10 months |
| Vermont | Yes | — | — | 8-12 months |
| Virginia | Yes | $44,760 | +14.9% | Varies (typically 8-12 months for 1100-hour program, but 1500 hours is current requirement) |
| Washington | Yes | $70,750 | +81.6% | Varies (typically 8-12 months for school program) |
| West Virginia | Yes | $34,360 | -11.8% | 9-12 months |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $34,360 | -11.8% | — |
| Wyoming | Yes | — | — | Approximately 6-9 months (including barber school) or 1-2 years for apprenticeship |
Highest-Paying States for Barbers
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $102,360 | — |
| 2 | Iowa | $78,480 | 140 |
| 3 | Washington | $70,750 | 360 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $64,290 | 250 |
| 5 | Colorado | $56,690 | 630 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $49,850 | 40 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $49,360 | 1,150 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $48,990 | — |
| 9 | Kentucky | $48,930 | — |
| 10 | Georgia | $47,630 | 650 |
Find a Training Program
Compare barber programs at trade schools across the country — ranked by graduate earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.