Barber in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY
How to Become a Barber in Kentucky
To become a licensed Barber in Kentucky, individuals must complete a 1500-hour training program at a state-approved barber school. Following this, applicants must pass the Kentucky Probationary Barber Examination (written) and work as a probationary barber for 6 continuous months under the supervision of a licensed barber. Finally, candidates must pass the Kentucky Barber Examination (practical) and pay a $50 licensing fee. Kentucky offers reciprocity for barbers licensed in states with equivalent training hours or for those with at least three years of experience if the hours are not equivalent.
Barber Requirements in Kentucky
| Detail | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Kentucky Board of Barbering |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 1500-hour training program |
| Experience Required | 1,500.0 hours |
| Exam | Kentucky Probationary Barber Examination (Written) and Kentucky Barber Examination (Practical) ($400) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Minimum age of 17.5 years old and a high school diploma or GED are required. After passing the written probationary exam, an apprentice license is issued. Must work under a licensed barber for 6 continuous months (at least 20 hours/week) to be eligible for the practical barber examination. The initial barber license fee is $50.00. |
Source: Kentucky Board of Barbering
License Tiers
Kentucky offers multiple tiers of barber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | 1,500 |
| Barber | N/A |
Barber Salary in Kentucky
The median barber salary in Kentucky is $48,930 per year, which is 25.6% above the national median of $38,960.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $26,460 |
| 25th | $43,230 |
| 50th (median) | $48,930 |
| 75th | $62,190 |
| 90th (experienced) | $66,180 |
Barber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Barbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.73/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Barber in Kentucky Worth It?
Factors to consider: Kentucky's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.