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

Licensed local services

Pennsylvania employs 530 barbers, with a statewide median of $36,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $36,920 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $30,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $39,030
Top earners (90th percentile): $46,700
Employed in Pennsylvania: 530
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia metro: $37,530 (340 employed)
Pittsburgh: $30,990 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $36,920 median stretches to roughly $37,828 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow barbers employment +4.8%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 350 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the PA State Board of Barber Examiners.

Complete 1,250 hours of instruction at a licensed barber school (or in a licensed shop under a barber teacher) over at least 9 months.
Pass both the written theory exam and the hands-on practical exam (Pearson VUE).
Minimum age 16 with 8th-grade education; manager and teacher licenses are later upgrades.

Official requirements: PA State Board of Barber Examiners →

Training in Pennsylvania

PA's 1,250-hour requirement is higher than Texas/California/Florida (900–1,000), so budget for the longer school runway. Barber-shop culture is strong in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; small-town shops face less competition.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

Altoona Beauty School Inc — Certificate
American Barber and Beauty Academy — Certificate
Barber School of Pittsburgh — Certificate / Associate
Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for barbers in Pennsylvania is $36,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $30,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $46,700. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the PA State Board of Barber Examiners. Complete 1,250 hours of instruction at a licensed barber school (or in a licensed shop under a barber teacher) over at least 9 months.

Is being a Barber a good career in Pennsylvania?

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay barbers the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $37,530, followed by Pittsburgh ($30,990). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include Altoona Beauty School Inc, American Barber and Beauty Academy, Barber School of Pittsburgh. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects barbers employment to change +4.8% 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the PA State 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.