Barber in Delaware

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DE. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

monitoring Strong
+4.1%

10-yr job growth

payments
$305

Licensing fees

schedule
10-14 months (school), 18-36 months (apprenticeship)

Time to complete

route How to become a barber in Delaware

To become a licensed Barber in Delaware, individuals must complete either a 1250-hour training program at a state-approved barber school or a 3000-hour apprenticeship. After fulfilling the education prerequisite, applicants must pass both a theory and practical examination administered by Prometric. The licensing body is the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, and licenses are renewed every two years on March 31st of even-numbered years. Delaware also offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet comparable requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Delaware. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Delaware requirements

Licensing bodyDelaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
State license Required
Education1250-hour training program or 3000-hour apprenticeship
ExamPrometric Barber Examination (Theory and Practical) ($305)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesMinimum age 16. Must have completed 10th grade or equivalent. A criminal history may affect licensure eligibility. License renewal occurs on March 31 of even-numbered years. There is also a Master Barber license which requires an additional 600-hour apprenticeship in chemical hair procedures after becoming a licensed barber.

Source: Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+4.1%
Faster than average
Annual openings
8,400
Nationwide per year
Total employment
76,000
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.73/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub
psychology
Wondering if a barber career is the right fit?
See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.
arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a barber in Delaware? expand_more
To become a barber in Delaware, you need to complete the required education (1250-hour training program or 3000-hour apprenticeship), and pass the Prometric Barber Examination (Theory and Practical).
Do I need a license to work as a barber in Delaware? expand_more
Delaware mandates state licensure for barbers. Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering oversees the process, which includes passing the Prometric Barber Examination (Theory and Practical).
How expensive is barber licensing in Delaware? expand_more
Between exam fee ($305), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How many months or years does barber certification take in Delaware? expand_more
Expect to spend 10-14 months (school), 18-36 months (apprenticeship) from start to finish in Delaware — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Explore more