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HowMuchToStart

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

Starting a Barbershop in Wyoming typically costs between $15,000 and $175,000, with a median estimate of $65,000. Wyoming’s cost of living is right at the national average. LLC formation in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?

Low

$15,000

Medium

$65,000

High

$175,000

National average: $15,000$175,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Wyoming

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

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost CategoryLowMediumHighNotes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out$5,000$25,000$80,000A 4-chair shop needs 600-1,000 sq ft. Classic barber shop aesthetic (brick, dark wood, vintage chairs) drives repeat visits.
Barber Chairs & Equipment$3,000$10,000$30,000Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies$1,000$3,000$8,000Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits$200$1,000$3,000Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance$500$1,500$4,000Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software$200$800$3,000StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding$500$3,000$10,000Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve$3,000$10,000$30,000Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost$13,400$54,300$168,000Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Wyoming

Licenses & Permits in Wyoming

General Business License

Wyoming is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation with no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, and very low fees. Wyoming does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Wyoming Secretary of State and register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue for sales tax purposes. Wyoming's LLC laws are particularly favorable for asset protection, making it a popular choice for business formation nationwide. Some Wyoming municipalities require local business licenses, but requirements are minimal.

Industry-Specific Licenses

  • Food Service Establishment LicenseWyoming Department of Agriculture or Local Health Department
    Cost: $50-$250 • Renewal: Annual
  • Contractor LicenseWyoming Building Codes Division (local jurisdictions primarily)
    Cost: $50-$250 • Renewal: Annual
  • Cosmetology Salon LicenseWyoming Department of Agriculture — Cosmetology
    Cost: $50-$100 • Renewal: Annual
  • Real Estate Broker LicenseWyoming Real Estate Commission
    Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
  • Outfitter LicenseWyoming Professional Hunting and Fishing Guides and Outfitters Licensing
    Cost: $200-$600 • Renewal: Annual
  • Mining PermitWyoming Department of Environmental Quality — Land Quality Division
    Cost: $200-$2,000 • Renewal: Annual
  • Retail Liquor LicenseWyoming Liquor Division
    Cost: $200-$1,500 • Renewal: Annual
  • Child Care Center LicenseWyoming Department of Family Services
    Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Wyoming has virtually no statewide restrictions on home-based businesses, reflecting its libertarian-leaning regulatory philosophy. Local municipalities in Wyoming have minimal home occupation regulations. Rural areas, which make up most of Wyoming's land area, have no restrictions on home-based businesses. Wyoming's cottage food law is among the most permissive in the nation with no sales cap for direct consumer sales. Wyoming's business-friendly environment extends fully to home-based business operations.

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 Wyoming Compares to Neighboring States

Wyoming is close to the national average for Barbershop startup costs, with a cost-of-living index of 100. Compared to neighboring Montana ($68,900 median startup cost), Wyoming offers lower costs for a Barbershop.

StateEst. CostLLC Fee
Wyoming (current)$65,000$100
Montana$68,900$70
South Dakota$63,050$150
Nebraska$59,150$105
Colorado$68,900$50
Utah$68,900$54
Idaho$66,950$100

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. 1

    Opening in a location with poor foot traffic — barbershops live on walk-ins plus loyal repeat clients

  2. 2

    Not building a booking system early — appointment slots are inventory; wasted slots are revenue lost forever

  3. 3

    Underpricing cuts — $25-$35 for a quality cut is standard; don't race to the bottom

  4. 4

    Hiring barbers without confirming their state licensure status

  5. 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. 1

    Obtain your Wyoming barber license from the Wyoming Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair

  2. 2

    Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Wyoming Secretary of State ($100 filing fee)

  3. 3

    Pass the Wyoming health department inspection for your barbershop — includes sanitation practices and blade sterilization

  4. 4

    Lease your space and outfit barber chairs, mirrors, back bar, wash stations, and waiting area ($5,000–$20,000)

  5. 5

    Establish wholesale accounts for clippers, trimmers, barbicide, and grooming product suppliers

  6. 6

    Get professional liability and general liability insurance for barbershop operations ($1,000–$3,000/year)

  7. 7

    Set up your booking system — Square Appointments, Booksy, or GlossGenius work well for barbershops

  8. 8

    Hire licensed barbers — verify all staff hold current Wyoming 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.

Related Businesses in Wyoming

Start a Barbershop in Other States

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

Disclaimer: The cost estimates on HowMuchToStart.com are for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Actual startup costs may vary significantly based on location, scale, market conditions, and individual circumstances. We recommend consulting with a local accountant, attorney, or SCORE mentor before making financial decisions. Data sources include the SBA, state government agencies, industry associations, and market research.