How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Arkansas?

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Starting a Barbershop in Arkansas typically costs between $13,350 and $155,750, with a median estimate of $57,850. Arkansas’s cost of living is 11% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Arkansas costs $45 to file. Most barbershop businesses take 2-4 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Barbershop startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Arkansas?

Low

$13,350

Medium

$57,850

High

$155,750

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Arkansas

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$22,250

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$8,900

Barber Tools & Supplies

$2,670

State License & Business Permits

$890

Insurance

$1,335

Booking Software

$712

Marketing & Branding

$2,670

Working Capital Reserve

$8,900

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$48,327

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$48,327

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$4,450	$22,250	$71,200	A 4-chair shop needs 600-1,000 sq ft. Classic barber shop aesthetic (brick, dark wood, vintage chairs) drives repeat visits.
Barber Chairs & Equipment	$2,670	$8,900	$26,700	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$890	$2,670	$7,120	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$178	$890	$2,670	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$445	$1,335	$3,560	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$178	$712	$2,670	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$445	$2,670	$8,900	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$2,670	$8,900	$26,700	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$11,926	$48,327	$149,520	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Arkansas

General Business License

Arkansas does not have a statewide general business license, but businesses must register with the Secretary of State for entity formation and with the Department of Finance and Administration for sales tax purposes. Individual cities and counties issue their own business licenses. Fayetteville, Little Rock, and other municipalities have their own business licensing requirements and fees.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Permit — Arkansas Department of Health — Food Protection Program
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor License — Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board
Cost: $150-$700 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Shop License — Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Motor Carrier Permit — Arkansas Department of Transportation
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Arkansas Real Estate Commission
Cost: $150-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Business License — Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Motor Vehicle Dealer License — Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission
Cost: $200-$600 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Arkansas are regulated by local municipal ordinances. Most Arkansas cities allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on signage, traffic, and commercial storage. Rural areas outside municipal boundaries generally have no restrictions on home-based businesses. Arkansas Act 571 of 2019 clarified that home-based food businesses are legal under certain conditions.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Barbershop:

Low

$3,000/mo

Medium

$8,000/mo

High

$20,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$60,000 – $450,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

15-30%

Break-Even Timeline

6-18 months

How Arkansas Compares to Neighboring States

Arkansas is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 88.7 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Missouri ($59,800 median startup cost), Arkansas offers lower costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Arkansas (current)	$57,850	$45
Missouri	$59,800	$50
Tennessee	$59,800	$300
Mississippi	$55,250	$50
Louisiana	$59,800	$100
Texas	$59,800	$300
Oklahoma	$57,850	$100

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Opening in a location with poor foot traffic — barbershops live on walk-ins plus loyal repeat clients
2
Not building a booking system early — appointment slots are inventory; wasted slots are revenue lost forever
3
Underpricing cuts — $25-$35 for a quality cut is standard; don't race to the bottom
4
Hiring barbers without confirming their state licensure status
5
Not creating a distinct brand and aesthetic that makes clients want to come back and refer friends

Next Steps to Launch Your Barbershop

1
Obtain your Arkansas barber license from the Arkansas Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Arkansas Secretary of State ($45 filing fee)
3
Pass the Arkansas health department inspection for your barbershop — includes sanitation practices and blade sterilization
4
Lease your space and outfit barber chairs, mirrors, back bar, wash stations, and waiting area ($5,000–$20,000)
5
Establish wholesale accounts for clippers, trimmers, barbicide, and grooming product suppliers
6
Get professional liability and general liability insurance for barbershop operations ($1,000–$3,000/year)
7
Set up your booking system — Square Appointments, Booksy, or GlossGenius work well for barbershops
8
Hire licensed barbers — verify all staff hold current Arkansas barber licenses before their first cut

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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Start a Barbershop in Other States

See the national overview for Barbershop or browse all businesses you can start in Arkansas.