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

Licensed local services

Maine employs 50 barbers, with a statewide median of $35,300 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maine licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Maine (May 2025)

Maine median pay: $35,300 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $30,470
Experienced (75th percentile): $48,810
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,930
Employed in Maine: 50
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maine

Prices in Maine run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $35,300 median stretches to roughly $36,392 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Maine (2024–2034)

Maine is projected to shrink barbers employment -0.9%, slower than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maine License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Maine OPOR — Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program.

Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (or 2,500 apprentice hours).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Maine Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program (OPOR).

Official requirements: Maine OPOR — Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program →

Training in Maine

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maine include:

Capilo School of Hair Design — Certificate
Empire Beauty School-Maine — Certificate
Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook — 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 Maine?

The median wage for barbers in Maine is $35,300 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $30,470, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,930. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Maine OPOR — Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program. Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (or 2,500 apprentice hours).

Is being a Barber a good career in Maine?

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

Where can I train to become a Barber in Maine?

Real Maine options include Capilo School of Hair Design, Empire Beauty School-Maine, Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Maine?

Maine projects barbers employment to change -0.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 openings a year — a declining field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Maine statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Maine OPOR — Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program (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 Maine wages · Maine 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.