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

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Starting a Barbershop in Missouri typically costs between $13,800 and $161,000, with a median estimate of $59,800. Missouri’s cost of living is 9% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Missouri 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 Missouri?

Low

$13,800

Medium

$59,800

High

$161,000

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

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Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Missouri

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$23,000

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$9,200

Barber Tools & Supplies

$2,760

State License & Business Permits

$920

Insurance

$1,380

Booking Software

$736

Marketing & Branding

$2,760

Working Capital Reserve

$9,200

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$49,956

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$49,956

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$4,600	$23,000	$73,600	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	$2,760	$9,200	$27,600	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$920	$2,760	$7,360	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$184	$920	$2,760	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$460	$1,380	$3,680	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$184	$736	$2,760	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$460	$2,760	$9,200	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$2,760	$9,200	$27,600	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$12,328	$49,956	$154,560	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Missouri

General Business License

Missouri does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Missouri Secretary of State and register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for sales and use tax purposes. Missouri cities and counties may require local business licenses — Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield each have their own licensing programs. Note that St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate political entities with different licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Establishment License — Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Division of Environmental Health
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor License — Local jurisdiction (St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, etc.)
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Establishment License — Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Biennial
Real Estate Broker License — Missouri Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Missouri Department of Social Services — Family Support Division
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Retail License for Intoxicating Liquor — Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control
Cost: $300-$3,000 • Renewal: Annual
Home Health Agency License — Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Cost: $200-$1,000 • Renewal: Annual
Motor Carrier Operating Authority — Missouri Department of Transportation
Cost: $100-$400 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Missouri are regulated by local zoning ordinances. Most Missouri municipalities allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on commercial signage, customer traffic, and business activities affecting neighbors. Rural Missouri areas outside incorporated municipalities generally have minimal restrictions on home-based businesses. Missouri's Cottage Food Law explicitly authorizes home-based food production and direct consumer sales up to $50,000 annually.

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 Missouri Compares to Neighboring States

Missouri is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Iowa ($59,150 median startup cost), Missouri has higher costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Missouri (current)	$59,800	$50
Iowa	$59,150	$50
Illinois	$61,750	$150
Kentucky	$59,800	$40
Tennessee	$59,800	$300
Arkansas	$57,850	$45
Oklahoma	$57,850	$100
Kansas	$58,500	$160
Nebraska	$59,150	$105

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