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

Licensed local services

South Carolina employs 220 barbers, with a statewide median of $32,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)

South Carolina median pay: $32,900 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $23,240
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,770
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,570
Employed in South Carolina: 220
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina

Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $32,900 median stretches to roughly $35,112 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)

South Carolina is projected to grow barbers employment +4.2%, about in line with the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Carolina License and Certification Requirements

Registered Barber license — regulated by the South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners (LLR).

Complete the required hours (about 1,500) at a licensed barber school — SC licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology.
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to the SC Board of Barber Examiners.

Official requirements: South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners (LLR) →

Training in South Carolina

Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood — research chair rent before assuming take-home pay. Confirm the current required hours with the board.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:

Academy of Hair Technology — Certificate
Barber Tech Academy — Certificate
Barber Tech Academy-Columbia — Certificate
Bob Jones University — Associate

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 South Carolina?

The median wage for barbers in South Carolina is $32,900 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $23,240, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,570. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Registered Barber license, overseen by the South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners (LLR). Complete the required hours (about 1,500) at a licensed barber school — SC licenses barbers through a board separate from cosmetology.

Is being a Barber a good career in South Carolina?

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

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

Real South Carolina options include Academy of Hair Technology, Barber Tech Academy, Barber Tech Academy-Columbia. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in South Carolina?

South Carolina projects barbers employment to change +4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners (LLR) (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 South Carolina wages · South 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.