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

Licensed local services

Louisiana employs 40 barbers, with a statewide median of $44,430 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $44,430 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $22,340
Experienced (75th percentile): $56,110
Top earners (90th percentile): $56,110
Employed in Louisiana: 40
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $44,430 median stretches to roughly $50,374 in national buying-power terms.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

Registered Barber license — regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners.

Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with the board).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners (separate from cosmetology).

Official requirements: Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners →

Training in Louisiana

Louisiana licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Baton Rouge — Certificate
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington — Certificate / Associate
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Lafayette — Certificate
Baton Rouge Community 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 Louisiana?

The median wage for barbers in Louisiana is $44,430 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $22,340, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $56,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Registered Barber license, overseen by the Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners. Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with the board).

Is being a Barber a good career in Louisiana?

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

Where can I train to become a Barber in Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Baton Rouge, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Lafayette. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana State Board of Barber Examiners (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana licensing/certification source

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.