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

Licensed local services

Virginia employs 160 barbers, with a statewide median of $46,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Virginia median pay: $46,730 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,270
Experienced (75th percentile): $57,620
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,860
Employed in Virginia: 160
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

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

Washington DC metro: $48,780

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,730 median is worth closer to $46,222 once higher local prices are factored in.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

Barber license — regulated by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR).

Complete 750 clock hours at a DPOR-licensed barber school — Virginia reduced the requirement from 1,100 to 750 hours effective December 1, 2025 (students enrolled before then must complete by February 28, 2026). No high school diploma or GED is required.
Pass the NIC written and practical examinations through Prov (Virginia's testing vendor). Total cost is approximately $314 including exams and license.
Virginia also offers a Master Barber license (1,000 total hours) for expanded services. Renew biennially with DPOR.

Official requirements: Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR) →

Training in Virginia

Virginia's new 750-hour requirement (one of the lower thresholds nationally as of 2026) means faster completion. Strong barbershop markets exist in Northern Virginia (particularly in communities with large Latino, African American, and South Asian populations), Richmond's Near West End and Church Hill neighborhoods, and the military-adjacent communities around Norfolk and Virginia Beach — where steady PCS-cycle clientele keeps foot traffic high.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:

Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School — Certificate
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington — Certificate
Avi Career Training — Certificate
Chester Career College — 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 Virginia?

The median wage for barbers in Virginia is $46,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,860. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Barber license, overseen by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR). Complete 750 clock hours at a DPOR-licensed barber school — Virginia reduced the requirement from 1,100 to 750 hours effective December 1, 2025 (students enrolled before then must complete by February 28, 2026). No high school diploma or GED is required.

Is being a Barber a good career in Virginia?

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

Which Virginia metros pay barbers the most?

Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $48,780. 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 Virginia?

Real Virginia options include Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington, Avi Career Training. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR) (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 Virginia wages · Virginia licensing/certification source

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.