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

Licensed local services

Idaho employs 130 barbers, with a statewide median of $36,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $36,040 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $21,880
Experienced (75th percentile): $48,810
Top earners (90th percentile): $59,590
Employed in Idaho: 130
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $36,040 median stretches to roughly $37,738 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow barbers employment +11.3%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Barber-Stylist license — regulated by the Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (DOPL).

Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with the board).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services Licensing Board.

Official requirements: Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (DOPL) →

Training in Idaho

Idaho combines barbering and cosmetology under one board. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Austin Kade Academy — Certificate
Aveda Institute-Boise — Certificate
Aveda Institute-Twin Falls — Certificate
Boise Barber 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 Idaho?

The median wage for barbers in Idaho is $36,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $21,880, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $59,590. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber-Stylist license, overseen by the Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (DOPL). Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with the board).

Is being a Barber a good career in Idaho?

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

Where can I train to become a Barber in Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Austin Kade Academy, Aveda Institute-Boise, Aveda Institute-Twin Falls. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects barbers employment to change +11.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (DOPL) (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 Idaho wages · Idaho 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.