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

Licensed local services

Iowa employs 130 barbers, with a statewide median of $58,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $58,900 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $31,200
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,660
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,710
Employed in Iowa: 130
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Davenport: $31,200 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Iowa

Prices in Iowa run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,900 median stretches to roughly $67,084 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow barbers employment +5.9%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Iowa Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL).

Complete the required hours at a board-approved barbering program (barbering/cosmetology combined runs about 1,550 hours; confirm the barber-specific requirement).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Iowa Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.

Official requirements: Iowa Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL) →

Training in Iowa

Iowa combined 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 Iowa include:

American Hair Academy — Certificate
Aveda Institute-Des Moines — Certificate
Capri College-Cedar Rapids — Certificate
Capri College-Davenport — 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 Iowa?

The median wage for barbers in Iowa is $58,900 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Iowa Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL). Complete the required hours at a board-approved barbering program (barbering/cosmetology combined runs about 1,550 hours; confirm the barber-specific requirement).

Is being a Barber a good career in Iowa?

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

Which Iowa metros pay barbers the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Davenport leads at $31,200. 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 Iowa?

Real Iowa options include American Hair Academy, Aveda Institute-Des Moines, Capri College-Cedar Rapids. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Iowa?

Iowa projects barbers employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Iowa statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Iowa Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (DIAL) (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 Iowa wages · Iowa 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.