Barber vs Cosmetologist

Side-by-side license comparison

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Quick Verdict

Higher Earning

Barber

Easier to Obtain

Tie

Lower Fee

Barber

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Barber	Cosmetologist
Category	Personal Care	Personal Care
Median Salary	$38,050	$37,630
Avg Initial Fee	$98	$128
Difficulty	Low	Low
Education	1000-1500 hours training	1000-2100 hours training
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	State Board (Written + Practical)
Time to License	6-15 months	9-24 months
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	6 hrs	8 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Salary Comparison

Barber

Median Salary$38,050

Avg Salary$38,050

Avg License Fee$98

Cosmetologist

Median Salary$37,630

Avg Salary$37,630

Avg License Fee$128

Barber earns $420 more per year on average. Over a 10-year career span, that adds up to approximately $4,200 in additional earnings.

Explore Each Occupation

BarberView all 53 state requirements CosmetologistView all 53 state requirements

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Barber has a higher median salary at $38,050 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $420 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Barber or a Cosmetologist?

Barber licensing is rated Low difficulty, while Cosmetologist is rated Low. Barber requires 1000-1500 hours training and typically takes 6-15 months, compared to 1000-2100 hours training and 9-24 months for Cosmetologist.

Which license costs more: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Cosmetologist has a higher average initial fee of $128, while Barber averages $98 — a difference of $30.

Do all states require a license for Barber and Cosmetologist?

Barber requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Cosmetologist requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Barber typically takes 6-15 months from start to licensure, while Cosmetologist takes 9-24 months. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Barber	Cosmetologist
Category	Personal Care	Personal Care
Median Salary	$38,050	$37,630
Avg Initial Fee	$98	$128
Difficulty	Low	Low
Education	1000-1500 hours training	1000-2100 hours training
Exam	State Board (Written + Practical)	State Board (Written + Practical)
Time to License	6-15 months	9-24 months
Renewal Period	Every 2 yr	Every 2 yr
CE Hours / Cycle	6 hrs	8 hrs
States Requiring	53 of 53	53 of 53

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Barber has a higher median salary at $38,050 per year, compared to $37,630 for Cosmetologist — a difference of $420 annually.

Is it harder to get licensed as a Barber or a Cosmetologist?

Which license costs more: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Cosmetologist has a higher average initial fee of $128, while Barber averages $98 — a difference of $30.

Do all states require a license for Barber and Cosmetologist?

Barber requires licensing in 53 of 53 jurisdictions, while Cosmetologist requires it in 53 of 53 jurisdictions. Requirements vary significantly by state.

Which career is faster to enter: Barber or Cosmetologist?

Barber typically takes 6-15 months from start to licensure, while Cosmetologist takes 9-24 months. Consider both the time investment and earning potential when making your decision.