How to Become a Cosmetologist in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 22,440 cosmetologists earning a median $30,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Becoming a cosmetologist here means training through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation credentialing requirements.
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Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Webb Skin Institute | 62.1 | Contact school for pricing | $34,373 | Not reported | — | 57 mi |
| 2 | Total Transformation Institute of Cosmetology | 53.5 | Contact school for pricing | $23,818 | Not reported | — | 94 mi |
| 3 | McLennan Community College | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,348 | Not reported | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 4 | Avenue Five Institute-South Austin Campus | 51.7 | Contact school for pricing | $35,714 | 87% | — | 67 mi |
| 5 | The Salon Professional Academy-Georgetown | 46.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 62% | — | 43 mi |
| 6 | Avenue Five Institute | 45.9 | Contact school for pricing | $35,714 | 79% | — | 61 mi |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School-Austin | 40.6 | Contact school for pricing | $33,969 | 69% | — | 59 mi |
| 8 | Yahweh Beauty Academy | 36.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 63% | — | 13 mi |
| 9 | Central Texas Beauty College-Temple | 33.3 | Contact school for pricing | $28,691 | 61% | — | 30 mi |
| 10 | Hill College | 31.9 | Contact school for pricing | $43,521 | 30% | — | 70 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Texas employs approximately 22,440 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,680 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 6,630 | $33,960 | $40,050 | $26,560 | $60,150 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 5,480 | $31,080 | $41,310 | $23,600 | $60,150 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 2,800 | $35,220 | $43,780 | $29,240 | $69,290 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 2,210 | $30,460 | $37,180 | $24,100 | $56,730 |
| El Paso | 510 | $26,970 | $33,600 | $22,330 | $49,350 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 380 | $27,310 | $34,290 | $22,040 | $49,760 |
| Killeen-Temple | 290 | $28,080 | $34,070 | $23,320 | $52,280 |
| Lubbock | 270 | $28,630 | $35,730 | $23,420 | $49,870 |
| Corpus Christi | 250 | $28,210 | $34,450 | $24,960 | $52,150 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 220 | $29,050 | $36,270 | $24,440 | $54,050 |
| College Station-Bryan | 210 | $27,860 | $34,130 | $22,940 | $51,200 |
| Tyler | 190 | $26,950 | $30,830 | $23,580 | $47,610 |
| Waco | 180 | $29,110 | $37,240 | $23,420 | $57,570 |
| Amarillo | 150 | $27,810 | $33,490 | $21,650 | $51,190 |
| Laredo | 120 | $26,130 | $28,690 | $17,270 | $45,160 |
| Abilene | 110 | $28,230 | $34,880 | $23,230 | $58,580 |
| Wichita Falls | 110 | $27,830 | $34,520 | $21,810 | $54,400 |
| Longview | 90 | $27,640 | $28,980 | $22,880 | $34,210 |
| Midland | 90 | $30,040 | $37,100 | $23,580 | $54,800 |
| San Angelo | 60 | $30,900 | $32,280 | $24,130 | $45,640 |
| Texarkana | 50 | $27,750 | $33,030 | $21,710 | $57,550 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Median wage (Texas): $30,680 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Texas
How do I become a cosmetologist in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as COSMETOLOGIST. The licensing authority is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Texas? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Texas is $30,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,580 and experienced professionals can earn $59,730 or more 1.
Top Metros for Cosmetologists in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 6,630 | $33,960 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 5,480 | $31,080 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 2,800 | $35,220 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 2,210 | $30,460 |
| El Paso | 510 | $26,970 |
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, pass the required examination, and obtain the cosmetologist credential before working unsupervised in Texas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Texas
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees cosmetologist licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| COSMETOLOGIST | Cosmetologists provide personalized services designed to help people look attractive. These include hair styling, facials, manicures and wig styling. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 22,440 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Texas is $30,680, which is $4,570 below the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |