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

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Starting a Barbershop in Mississippi typically costs between $12,750 and $148,750, with a median estimate of $55,250. Mississippi’s cost of living is 15% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Mississippi costs $50 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 Mississippi?

Low

$12,750

Medium

$55,250

High

$148,750

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

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Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Mississippi

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$21,250

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$8,500

Barber Tools & Supplies

$2,550

State License & Business Permits

$850

Insurance

$1,275

Booking Software

$680

Marketing & Branding

$2,550

Working Capital Reserve

$8,500

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$46,155

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$46,155

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$4,250	$21,250	$68,000	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	$2,550	$8,500	$25,500	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$850	$2,550	$6,800	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$170	$850	$2,550	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$425	$1,275	$3,400	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$170	$680	$2,550	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$425	$2,550	$8,500	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$2,550	$8,500	$25,500	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$11,390	$46,155	$142,800	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Mississippi

General Business License

Mississippi does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State and register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for sales tax purposes. Individual cities and counties in Mississippi issue their own business licenses — Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, and other municipalities have their own licensing programs. Mississippi offers an online business registration portal through the Secretary of State's website.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Establishment Permit — Mississippi Department of Health — Bureau of Environmental Health
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Mississippi State Board of Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Shop License — Mississippi Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Mississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Facilities Licensure
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Retailer's Package License — Mississippi Department of Revenue — Alcoholic Beverage Control
Cost: $400-$2,000 • Renewal: Annual
Gaming Operator License — Mississippi Gaming Commission
Cost: $5,000-$50,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Business Registration — Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Mississippi are regulated by local city and county ordinances. Mississippi's many rural areas outside incorporated municipalities generally have no restrictions on home-based businesses. Cities like Jackson and Gulfport allow home occupations with standard restrictions on commercial signage, customer visits, and business activities that could disturb neighbors. Mississippi's cottage food law supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales.

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 Mississippi Compares to Neighboring States

Mississippi is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 84.7 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($59,800 median startup cost), Mississippi offers lower costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Mississippi (current)	$55,250	$50
Tennessee	$59,800	$300
Alabama	$57,200	$200
Louisiana	$59,800	$100
Arkansas	$57,850	$45

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 Mississippi barber license from the Mississippi Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Mississippi Secretary of State ($50 filing fee)
3
Pass the Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi.