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

Licensed local services

Georgia employs 550 barbers, with a statewide median of $30,750 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Georgia (May 2025)

Georgia median pay: $30,750 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $27,950
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,150
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,710
Employed in Georgia: 550
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Atlanta metro: $30,750 (360 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia

Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $30,750 median stretches to roughly $31,931 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)

Georgia is projected to grow barbers employment +8.4%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 280 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Georgia License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.

Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (minimum 9 months) — or 3,000 hours as a registered apprentice in a licensed shop (minimum 18 months).
Pass the state examinations.
Apply through the Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.

Official requirements: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers →

Training in Georgia

Atlanta's barbershop culture is among the strongest in the country — skilled barbers with clientele out-earn the median substantially. The apprentice route doubles the hours but eliminates tuition.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College — Certificate
Albany Beauty Academy — Certificate
Albany Technical College — Certificate
Athens Technical College — 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 Georgia?

The median wage for barbers in Georgia is $30,750 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $27,950, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (minimum 9 months) — or 3,000 hours as a registered apprentice in a licensed shop (minimum 18 months).

Is being a Barber a good career in Georgia?

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

Which Georgia metros pay barbers the most?

Among Georgia metro areas, Atlanta metro leads at $30,750. 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 Georgia?

Real Georgia options include Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Albany Beauty Academy, Albany Technical College. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Georgia?

Georgia projects barbers employment to change +8.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 280 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers (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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.