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

Licensed local services

Barbers in Nebraska earn a statewide median of $39,090, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nebraska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Nebraska (May 2025)

Nebraska median pay: $39,090 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $30,570
Experienced (75th percentile): $44,560
Top earners (90th percentile): $58,390
Employed in Nebraska: Not published (BLS suppressed)
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nebraska

Prices in Nebraska run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $39,090 median stretches to roughly $43,385 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Nebraska (2024–2034)

Nebraska is projected to grow barbers employment +1.3%, slower than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Nebraska License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Nebraska DHHS — Board of Barber Examiners.

Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with DHHS).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to Nebraska DHHS (barbering is licensed separately from cosmetology).

Official requirements: Nebraska DHHS — Board of Barber Examiners →

Training in Nebraska

Nebraska licenses barbers separately from cosmetology through DHHS. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nebraska include:

Capitol Beauty School — Certificate / Associate
College of Hair Design-Downtown — Certificate
Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics — Certificate
Joseph's College Cosmetology — 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 Nebraska?

The median wage for barbers in Nebraska is $39,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $30,570, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $58,390. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Nebraska DHHS — Board of Barber Examiners. Complete the required hours at a licensed barber school (confirm current hours with DHHS).

Is being a Barber a good career in Nebraska?

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

Where can I train to become a Barber in Nebraska?

Real Nebraska options include Capitol Beauty School, College of Hair Design-Downtown, Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Nebraska?

Nebraska projects barbers employment to change +1.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Nebraska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Nebraska DHHS — 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 Nebraska wages · Nebraska 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.