Mississippi is home to upscale barbershops committed to classic style and sophistication through expert styling. One such barbershop is A-Plus Barber Shop, located in Tupelo, which takes a contemporary approach to classic barbering by offering fade, taper, and afro cuts, along with bald straight edge and hot towel shaves.
As a barber, men will look to you as an expert of style and sophistication. If you’re ready to start your career as a barber in Mississippi, you will need to be licensed through the Mississippi Board of Barber Examiners, which sets the education and examination standards for those interested in working as barbers in the state.
For a guide on how to become a barber in Mississippi, follow these simple steps:
 | Complete a 1500-Hour Barber Training Program |
 | Pass the National Practical and Written Licensing Examinations |
 | Pursue your Career as a Mississippi Barber and Keep your License Current |
Step 1. Complete a 1500-Hour Barber Training Program
Your first step toward attaining a barber license in Mississippi is completing a barber training program. A barber training program is a great way to learn everything you’ll need to know about haircutting, beard designing, and barbershop management. The Mississippi Board of Barber Examiners requires that your training program include at least 1500 hours of coursework.
These courses will include both practical and theoretical barber training subjects, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Infection Control
- Barbershop Safety
- Barbershop Management
- Haircutting and Styling
- Hair Coloring and Lightening
- Shaving, Trimming, and Designing Moustaches and Beards
- Honing and Stropping
- Shaving with a Straight Razor
- Basic Chemistry, Electricity, and Light
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Mississippi Barber Laws, Rules, and Regulations
Once you complete your barber school training, your school will help you submit an application for the practical licensing exam.
Step 2. Pass the National Practical and Written Licensing Examinations
After completing your barber training program, you will need to pass two licensing examinations: the national barber written exam and the national barber practical exam. These licensing exams will be based off of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology examinations.
Practical Examination
As you finish your barber training program, your school will help you submit the application for the practical exam. The Mississippi Board of Barber Examiners administers the practical exam every 4-6 times weeks, on an as-needed basis. This exam will follow the layout of the national barber practical exam, and it will test your ability to physically perform the following barber services:
- Set Up and Client Protection
- Shaving with a Straight Razor
- Haircutting
- Chemical Waving
- Hair Lightening/Coloring
- Chemical Relaxing
Optional services that the Board may ask you to perform include the following:
- Basic Facial
- Blow Drying
- Thermal Curling
Written Examination
For your written examination, you will register directly with Professional Credentialing Services (PCS). You will be able to access the PCS Mississippi page, where you can download the examination application information. Once you register for this exam, you will be able to schedule a date and time to take it. The written exam will follow the layout of the national barber written exam. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam, and it will test you on the following barber subject areas:
- Infection Control and Sanitation
- Client Consultation
- Draping Procedures
- Anatomy of the Hair and Skin
- Hair and Scalp Structure, Growth, and Disorders
- Hair and Scalp Analysis
- Shaving Procedures
- Facial Hair Design
- Haircutting and Styling
- Chemistry, Electricity, and Light
- Chemical Services
Once you successfully pass both the practical and the written exams, the Mississippi Board will issue your initial Mississippi barber license.
Step 3. Pursue your Career as a Mississippi Barber and Keep your License Current
Once you obtain your Mississippi barber license, you will be eligible to work as a barber or hairstylist anywhere in the state. Many barbers start their careers earning an hourly wage plus tips, and as they accumulate a large clientele, they transfer to commission-based pay. Many barbers also work as independent contractors, which involves renting a chair or booth in an established barbershop. You may see this as your first step toward eventually owning and operating a barbershop of your own.
In addition to A-Plus Barber Shop in Tupelo, some top barbershops and salons that may be hiring or offering chair rental opportunities in Mississippi include:
- Fabulous Images Barber and Style Shop – Clarksdale
- Noggins Salon – Ridgeland
- Family Barber Shop – Madison
Once you are a licensed barber in Mississippi, you will need to renew your license each year. Renewing your license annually ensure you are able to continue legally working as a barber in the state. You will need to renew each year during the month in which you originally received your license. To renew your license, contact the Mississippi Board for the appropriate renewal form and fee.
Barber Salaries in Mississippi
In 2014, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced that workers in personal care and service occupations are expected to experience a 14% employment growth hike between 2010 and 2020. As a result, barbers can anticipate a steady increase in statewide job opportunities throughout this projection period.
Most barbers receive monetary gratuity, or tips, as a sign of additional appreciation from their customers. These contributions greatly supplement a barber’s earnings. However, state government wage and salary publications do not account for client gratuity. Therefore, all government-issued occupational wage data should be interpreted as base pay incomes.
Current Wage and Salary Averages for Barbers in MS
According to the Mississippi, personal care and service workers, such as barbers, earned an average hourly wage of $11.09 in 2014. Salaried employees in this occupational category earned an average annual wage of $23,060.
Entry-Level Wage and Salary Averages – The amount a barber in Mississippi earns often depends on their previous work experience. For instance, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security determined the entry-level wage average among personal care and service workers, including barbers, was $8.00/hr or $16,640/yr in 2014.
Experienced-Level Wage and Salary Averages – More experienced barbers are often awarded higher wage and salaries by employers in Mississippi. In fact, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security reported that experienced personal care and service workers, such as barbers, earned $12.63/hr or $26,270/yr in 2014.
Regional Wage and Salary Averages for Barbers in Mississippi
Explore the wage and salary averages for personal care and service workers, including barbers, employed within the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metropolitan area in 2013 by referring to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data table located below: