Barber in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Licensed local services

North Carolina employs 330 barbers, with a statewide median of $31,050 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)

North Carolina median pay: $31,050 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $28,370
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,190
Top earners (90th percentile): $90,270
Employed in North Carolina: 330
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina

Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $31,050 median stretches to roughly $32,927 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)

North Carolina is projected to grow barbers employment +5.9%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Carolina License and Certification Requirements

Apprentice Barber → Registered Barber — regulated by the NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners.

Complete 1,528 hours at an approved barber school.
Get the Apprentice Barber license and work 12 months under a registered barber.
Pass the registered barber examination to earn the full license.

Official requirements: NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners →

Training in North Carolina

NC's two-stage system (school + paid 12-month apprenticeship) means you're earning before full licensure. Charlotte and the Triangle's growth keep chairs busy; small-town shops face little competition.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Carolina include:

Alamance Community College — Certificate / Associate
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design — Certificate
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College — Certificate / Associate
Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill — 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 North Carolina?

The median wage for barbers in North Carolina is $31,050 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,370, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $90,270. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Apprentice Barber → Registered Barber, overseen by the NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners. Complete 1,528 hours at an approved barber school.

Is being a Barber a good career in North Carolina?

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

Where can I train to become a Barber in North Carolina?

Real North Carolina options include Alamance Community College, Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects barbers employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 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), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis 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 North Carolina wages · North Carolina 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.