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

Licensed local services

Minnesota employs 260 barbers, with a statewide median of $53,990 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $53,990 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $59,170
Top earners (90th percentile): $59,170
Employed in Minnesota: 260
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Fargo: $48,810 (50 employed)
Minneapolis: $39,000 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $53,990 median stretches to roughly $54,757 in national buying-power terms.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

Registered Barber license — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners.

Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (Minnesota licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners.

Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners →

Training in Minnesota

Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay. Twin Cities barbershop demand is strong.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

Avalon School of Cosmetology — Certificate
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis — Certificate
Century College — Certificate / Associate
Empire Beauty School-Bloomington — 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 Minnesota?

The median wage for barbers in Minnesota is $53,990 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $59,170. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Registered Barber license, overseen by the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners. Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (Minnesota licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology).

Is being a Barber a good career in Minnesota?

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

Which Minnesota metros pay barbers the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, Fargo leads at $48,810, followed by Minneapolis ($39,000). 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 Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Avalon School of Cosmetology, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, Century College. 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), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota 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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.