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

Licensed local services

North Dakota employs 80 barbers, with a statewide median of $48,540 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $48,540 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $28,760
Experienced (75th percentile): $58,210
Top earners (90th percentile): $59,070
Employed in North Dakota: 80
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Fargo: $48,810 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,540 median stretches to roughly $54,539 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to shrink barbers employment -1.7%, slower than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the North Dakota Board of Barber Examiners.

Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the North Dakota Board of Barber Examiners (separate from cosmetology).

Official requirements: North Dakota Board of Barber Examiners →

Training in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Fargo — Certificate
Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand Forks — Certificate / Associate
The Hair Academy — Certificate
The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo — 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 Dakota?

The median wage for barbers in North Dakota is $48,540 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,760, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $59,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the North Dakota Board of Barber Examiners. Complete about 1,500 hours at a licensed barber school.

Is being a Barber a good career in North Dakota?

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

Which North Dakota metros pay barbers the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Fargo leads at $48,810. 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 North Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Fargo, Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand Forks, The Hair Academy. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in North Dakota?

North Dakota projects barbers employment to change -1.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.