Barber in Mississippi

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MS

Median Salary
$24,110
Mississippi (2024)
National Median
$38,960
All states
License Fees
$50
Exam + application

How to Become a Barber in Mississippi

To become a licensed Barber in Mississippi, individuals must complete at least 1500 hours of training at a state-approved barber school. After completing the education prerequisite, applicants must pass the Mississippi State Board Barber Examination. The licensing body is the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, and licenses must be renewed every two years with 8 hours of continuing education. Reciprocity is available on a case-by-case basis for those licensed in other states with similar educational requirements, provided they pass an examination and pay a $55 application fee.

Barber Requirements in Mississippi

DetailMississippi
Licensing BodyMississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
State License Required Yes
Education1500-hour training program
Experience Required1,500.0 hours
Exam Mississippi State Board Barber Examination
Application Fee$50
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education8.0 hours per cycle
NotesApplicants must be at least 17 years old and have completed the 9th grade. A high school diploma or GED is also mentioned as a requirement by some sources. Reciprocity is determined on a case-by-case basis and requires an application, proof of current license and training hours, and an interview with the board. There is a $55 application fee for reciprocity.

Source: Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Barber Salary in Mississippi

The median barber salary in Mississippi is $24,110 per year, which is 38.1% below the national median of $38,960.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$17,210
25th$19,110
50th (median)$24,110
75th$44,980
90th (experienced)$72,700

Mississippi employs approximately 60 barbers.

Barber Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+4.1%
Faster than average
Annual Openings
8.4
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
76
Nationwide

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 Mississippi Worth It?

Factors to consider: Mississippi's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a barber in Mississippi?
The path to barber licensure in Mississippi: complete the required education (1500-hour training program), gain 1,500.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Mississippi State Board Barber Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).
Is a barber license required in Mississippi?
You cannot practice as a barber in Mississippi without a state license from Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The required exam is the Mississippi State Board Barber Examination.
What is the average barber salary in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the median pay for barbers comes to $24,110/year. — 38% under the $38,960 national average. New barbers start around $17,210; seasoned professionals can reach $72,700.
How many CE hours do barbers need in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires 8.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your barber license.

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