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

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Starting a Barbershop in Oklahoma typically costs between $13,350 and $155,750, with a median estimate of $57,850. Oklahoma’s cost of living is 12% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Oklahoma costs $100 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 Oklahoma?

Low

$13,350

Medium

$57,850

High

$155,750

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

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Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma

General Business License

Oklahoma does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for sales and use tax purposes. Many Oklahoma cities require local business licenses — Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, and other municipalities have their own licensing programs. The Oklahoma state portal at oklahoma.gov provides business registration resources.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Establishment License — Oklahoma State Department of Health — Food Safety Division
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Oklahoma Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Every 3 years
Child Care Center License — Oklahoma Department of Human Services — Child Care Services
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Oil and Gas Operator License — Oklahoma Corporation Commission — Oil and Gas Division
Cost: $200-$1,000 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Spirits License — Oklahoma ABLE Commission
Cost: $500-$2,500 • Renewal: Annual
Motor Carrier Permit — Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Cost: $100-$400 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Oklahoma are regulated by local city and county ordinances. Oklahoma City and Tulsa allow home occupations in residential zones with standard restrictions on commercial signage, customer traffic, and non-resident employees. Oklahoma's many rural communities are generally very permissive of home-based businesses. Oklahoma's cottage food law supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales up to $20,000 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 Oklahoma Compares to Neighboring States

Oklahoma is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 88.5 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Kansas ($58,500 median startup cost), Oklahoma offers lower costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Oklahoma (current)	$57,850	$100
Kansas	$58,500	$160
Missouri	$59,800	$50
Arkansas	$57,850	$45
Texas	$59,800	$300
New Mexico	$61,750	$50
Colorado	$68,900	$50

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 Oklahoma barber license from the Oklahoma Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Oklahoma Secretary of State ($100 filing fee)
3
Pass the Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.