How to Become a Bookkeeper in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 122,400 bookkeepers earning a median $48,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
Sponsored - request program info
Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M T Training Center | 78.9 | Contact school for pricing | $37,432 | 80% | Yes* | 113 mi |
| 2 | CCI Training Center-Arlington | 75.7 | Contact school for pricing | $39,373 | 72% | Yes* | 114 mi |
| 3 | Tarrant County College District | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,928 | 29% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 4 | Dallas College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 5 | McLennan Community College | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,348 | Not reported | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 6 | Weatherford College | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $59,564 | Not reported | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 7 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 8 | Blinn College District | 40.9 | $4,890 - $15,252 | $53,339 | 11% | Yes* | 114 mi |
| 9 | Temple College | 39.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,976 | 29% | Yes* | 32 mi |
| 10 | Central Texas College | 37.4 | $3,750 - $13,822 | $60,854 | 13% | Yes* | 9 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 122,400 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,910 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a bookkeeper in Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 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 | 34,930 | $51,720 | $54,820 | $36,980 | $74,970 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 26,090 | $49,460 | $52,280 | $34,730 | $74,010 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 11,900 | $54,320 | $54,740 | $34,780 | $73,900 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 8,960 | $48,150 | $50,770 | $35,110 | $68,340 |
| El Paso | 2,790 | $41,530 | $44,460 | $29,340 | $63,060 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 2,070 | $41,960 | $44,390 | $29,550 | $62,460 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,570 | $45,940 | $47,740 | $32,340 | $64,380 |
| Lubbock | 1,500 | $45,560 | $47,040 | $30,200 | $65,550 |
| Midland | 1,440 | $52,210 | $55,580 | $37,590 | $77,180 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,370 | $47,270 | $49,240 | $34,040 | $66,570 |
| Amarillo | 1,230 | $46,620 | $48,190 | $30,020 | $66,760 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,220 | $46,170 | $47,800 | $32,000 | $64,040 |
| Longview | 1,220 | $45,070 | $46,200 | $29,700 | $63,010 |
| Waco | 1,200 | $46,290 | $48,690 | $32,940 | $66,350 |
| Laredo | 1,070 | $39,710 | $43,500 | $27,820 | $68,460 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,020 | $41,530 | $44,270 | $28,620 | $60,130 |
| College Station-Bryan | 950 | $45,870 | $48,200 | $31,660 | $67,210 |
| Tyler | 940 | $45,830 | $47,920 | $31,150 | $64,490 |
| Odessa | 880 | $48,930 | $51,320 | $33,040 | $72,120 |
| Abilene | 650 | $45,620 | $47,010 | $31,020 | $63,350 |
| San Angelo | 490 | $44,280 | $45,990 | $29,200 | $64,630 |
| Wichita Falls | 490 | $43,910 | $46,460 | $29,050 | $67,520 |
| Texarkana | 420 | $43,810 | $44,940 | $29,250 | $61,330 |
| Sherman-Denison | 380 | $47,790 | $48,810 | $31,380 | $65,800 |
| Victoria | 370 | $46,230 | $48,110 | $30,320 | $65,880 |
| Eagle Pass | 190 | $42,900 | $46,540 | $28,800 | $68,680 |
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
- Median wage (Texas): $48,910 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming A Bookkeeper in Texas
How do I become a bookkeeper in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Texas.
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.
What do bookkeepers earn in Texas? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Texas is $48,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,480 and experienced professionals can earn $72,810 or more 1.
Top Metros for Bookkeepers in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest bookkeeper 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 | 34,930 | $51,720 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 26,090 | $49,460 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 11,900 | $54,320 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 8,960 | $48,150 |
| El Paso | 2,790 | $41,530 |
Explore bookkeeper programs in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
How to Become a Bookkeeper 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.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Texas before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 122,400 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
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 bookkeepers earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Texas is $48,910, which is $300 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Texas
Top local programs
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Abbott, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Abell, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Abernathy, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Abilene, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Abram, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Ace, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Ackerly, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Adamsville, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Addicks, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Addison, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Adrian, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Ady, Texas (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Texas
- Best HVAC Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Texas
- Best Plumbing Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Texas
Explore More Trades in Texas
- Electrician in Texas
- Plumber in Texas
- HVAC Technician in Texas
- Welder in Texas
- Carpenter in Texas
- Solar Installation Technician in Texas
- Auto Mechanic in Texas
- CNC Machinist in Texas
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
- Medical Assistant in Texas
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |