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

Licensed local services

Utah employs 320 barbers, with a statewide median of $25,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Utah licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Utah (May 2025)

Utah median pay: $25,370 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $23,890
Experienced (75th percentile): $26,810
Top earners (90th percentile): $26,810
Employed in Utah: 320
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Salt Lake City: $26,330 (220 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Utah

Prices in Utah run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $25,370 median stretches to roughly $25,652 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Utah (2024–2034)

Utah is projected to grow barbers employment +12.5%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Utah License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

Complete about 1,000 hours of barbering at a licensed school (cosmetology/barber programs run 1,600 hours).
Pass the written and practical exams.
Apply to DOPL.

Official requirements: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) →

Training in Utah

Utah licenses barbering through DOPL. Confirm current required hours, which the state has periodically adjusted. Booth-rental economics vary by neighborhood.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Utah include:

Acaydia School of Aesthetics — Certificate
Avalon Institute-Layton — Certificate
Aveda Institute-Provo — Certificate
Bonnie Joseph Academy of Cosmetology & Barbering — 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 Utah?

The median wage for barbers in Utah is $25,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $23,890, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $26,810. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Complete about 1,000 hours of barbering at a licensed school (cosmetology/barber programs run 1,600 hours).

Is being a Barber a good career in Utah?

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

Which Utah metros pay barbers the most?

Among Utah metro areas, Salt Lake City leads at $26,330. 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 Utah?

Real Utah options include Acaydia School of Aesthetics, Avalon Institute-Layton, Aveda Institute-Provo. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Utah?

Utah projects barbers employment to change +12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 150 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), Utah statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) (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 Utah wages · Utah 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.