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

Licensed local services

Barbers in Mississippi earn a statewide median of $38,480, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $38,480 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $26,290
Experienced (75th percentile): $38,760
Top earners (90th percentile): $42,870
Employed in Mississippi: Not published (BLS suppressed)
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Jackson: $38,480

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $38,480 median stretches to roughly $44,230 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to shrink barbers employment -0.8%, slower than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering.

Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering.

Official requirements: Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering →

Training in Mississippi

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Academy of Hair Design-Grenada — Certificate
Academy of Hair Design-Pearl — Certificate
Blue Cliff College-Gulfport — Certificate
Chris Beauty 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 Mississippi?

The median wage for barbers in Mississippi is $38,480 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $26,290, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $42,870. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering. Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.

Is being a Barber a good career in Mississippi?

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

Which Mississippi metros pay barbers the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Jackson leads at $38,480. 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 Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Academy of Hair Design-Grenada, Academy of Hair Design-Pearl, Blue Cliff College-Gulfport. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects barbers employment to change -0.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.