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

Licensed local services

Missouri employs 580 barbers, with a statewide median of $47,880 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Missouri (May 2025)

Missouri median pay: $47,880 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $36,710
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,460
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,950
Employed in Missouri: 580
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

St. Louis metro: $57,960 (260 employed)
Springfield: $56,580 (100 employed)
Kansas City metro: $42,210 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri

Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $47,880 median stretches to roughly $52,731 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)

Missouri is projected to grow barbers employment +2.0%, slower than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 350 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Missouri License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.

Complete 1,000 hours at a licensed barber school — or apprentice for 2,000 hours under a licensed barber (Missouri allows the earn-while-you-learn route).
Pass the state board examinations.
Apply through the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.

Official requirements: Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners →

Training in Missouri

Missouri's 1,000-hour school requirement is among the lower in the nation, and the 2,000-hour apprenticeship alternative means you can skip tuition entirely. Booth rental economics are favorable given Missouri's low commercial rents.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:

Academy of Beauty Professionals — Certificate
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — Certificate
Academy of Salon Professionals — Certificate
Aesthetics Institute — 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 Missouri?

The median wage for barbers in Missouri is $47,880 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,710, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,950. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Complete 1,000 hours at a licensed barber school — or apprentice for 2,000 hours under a licensed barber (Missouri allows the earn-while-you-learn route).

Is being a Barber a good career in Missouri?

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

Which Missouri metros pay barbers the most?

Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $57,960, followed by Springfield ($56,580), Kansas City metro ($42,210). 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 Missouri?

Real Missouri options include Academy of Beauty Professionals, Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, Academy of Salon Professionals. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Missouri?

Missouri projects barbers employment to change +2.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 350 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and 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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.