How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$15,000
Medium
$65,000
High
$175,000
A grooming business specializing in men's haircuts, shaves, and beard trims. A classic neighborhood service business with strong repeat customer loyalty.
Time to Launch
2-4 months
Profit Margins
15-30%
Break-Even Timeline
6-18 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Barbershop in Nationally
Budget:
$25,000
$10,000
$3,000
$1,000
$1,500
$800
$3,000
$10,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$54,300
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$54,300
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $12,750 | $55,250 | $148,750 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $12,900 | $55,900 | $150,500 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $13,200 | $57,200 | $154,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $13,350 | $57,850 | $155,750 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $13,350 | $57,850 | $155,750 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $13,500 | $58,500 | $157,500 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $13,650 | $59,150 | $159,250 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $13,650 | $59,150 | $159,250 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $13,650 | $59,150 | $159,250 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $13,650 | $59,150 | $159,250 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $13,650 | $59,150 | $159,250 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $13,800 | $59,800 | $161,000 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $13,800 | $59,800 | $161,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $13,800 | $59,800 | $161,000 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $13,800 | $59,800 | $161,000 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $13,800 | $59,800 | $161,000 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $14,100 | $61,100 | $164,500 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $14,250 | $61,750 | $166,250 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $14,250 | $61,750 | $166,250 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $14,250 | $61,750 | $166,250 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $14,400 | $62,400 | $168,000 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $14,400 | $62,400 | $168,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $14,550 | $63,050 | $169,750 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $14,700 | $63,700 | $171,500 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $14,850 | $64,350 | $173,250 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $15,000 | $65,000 | $175,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $15,300 | $66,300 | $178,500 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $15,450 | $66,950 | $180,250 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $15,450 | $66,950 | $180,250 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $15,450 | $66,950 | $180,250 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $15,450 | $66,950 | $180,250 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $15,600 | $67,600 | $182,000 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $15,600 | $67,600 | $182,000 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $15,900 | $68,900 | $185,500 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $15,900 | $68,900 | $185,500 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $15,900 | $68,900 | $185,500 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $16,800 | $72,800 | $196,000 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $16,800 | $72,800 | $196,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $17,100 | $74,100 | $199,500 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $17,400 | $75,400 | $203,000 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $17,550 | $76,050 | $204,750 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $17,700 | $76,700 | $206,500 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $17,850 | $77,350 | $208,250 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $18,750 | $81,250 | $218,750 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $19,050 | $82,550 | $222,250 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $19,350 | $83,850 | $225,750 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $20,250 | $87,750 | $236,250 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $20,850 | $90,350 | $243,250 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $22,500 | $97,500 | $262,500 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $28,950 | $125,450 | $337,750 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$55,250
- West Virginia$55,900
- Alabama$57,200
- Arkansas$57,850
- Oklahoma$57,850
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$125,450
- Massachusetts$97,500
- New York$90,350
- California$87,750
- Maryland$83,850
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening a barbershop costs $15,000 to $175,000. A small 2-chair shop in modest space can open for $15,000-$35,000. A 4-6 chair barbershop with premium aesthetic and equipment typically costs $50,000-$120,000. A high-end flagship barbershop with private suites and full grooming services can reach $175,000.
Barbershop owners earn $40,000-$120,000+ annually. A 4-chair shop with barbers averaging $400/day in cuts grosses $576,000/year. The owner takes 40-50% after paying barber commissions (50-60%), rent, and supplies. Booth rental shops where barbers pay rent have more predictable owner income.
You need a state barbershop establishment license ($50-$300), a business license, and all employed barbers must hold valid state barber licenses. Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of education at a licensed barber school plus a state licensing exam.
Booth rental ($200-$500/week per chair) provides predictable owner income regardless of individual barber performance. Commission (40-50% to barbers) rewards high performers but leaves owner income variable. Most shops start with commission to control quality, then offer booth rental to top performers who want independence.
A skilled barber sees 10-15 clients per 8-hour day, averaging 30-40 minutes per cut. At $35/cut with 12 clients/day, one barber generates $420/day or $100,000+/year. A 4-barber shop can generate $400,000+/year in gross revenue.
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