Barber in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Licensed local services

Arkansas employs 170 barbers, with a statewide median of $25,640 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)

Arkansas median pay: $25,640 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $24,240
Experienced (75th percentile): $30,040
Top earners (90th percentile): $33,750
Employed in Arkansas: 170
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for barbers in major Arkansas markets:

Little Rock: $24,460 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas

Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $25,640 median stretches to roughly $29,505 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)

Arkansas is projected to grow barbers employment +8.3%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arkansas License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Arkansas Dept. of Health — Cosmetology Section.

Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Arkansas Dept. of Health Cosmetology Section.

Official requirements: Arkansas Dept. of Health — Cosmetology Section →

Training in Arkansas

Arkansas regulates barbering and cosmetology under the Dept. of Health. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:

Academy of Professional Cosmetology — Certificate
Academy of Salon and Spa — Certificate
Arkansas Beauty College — Certificate
Arkansas Beauty School-Little Rock — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Social, detail-oriented people who want a portable service skill.

Think twice if: Standing all day, variable income, or constant customer interaction sounds exhausting.

Why it's resilient: Barbering is personal, local, licensed, tactile, and built on repeat trust.

First Steps

Compare state barber-hour requirements and local school placement outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do barbers make in Arkansas?

The median wage for barbers in Arkansas is $25,640 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $24,240, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $33,750. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Barber in Arkansas?

Barber license, overseen by the Arkansas Dept. of Health — Cosmetology Section. Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.

Is being a Barber a good career in Arkansas?

Barbering is personal, local, licensed, tactile, and built on repeat trust.

Which Arkansas metros pay barbers the most?

Among Arkansas metro areas, Little Rock leads at $24,460. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Barber in Arkansas?

Real Arkansas options include Academy of Professional Cosmetology, Academy of Salon and Spa, Arkansas Beauty College. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Arkansas?

Arkansas projects barbers employment to change +8.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Arkansas Dept. of Health — Cosmetology Section (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.