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). Training as a Cosmetologist here means completing a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license, then applying through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: board-approved cosmetology or barbering program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license
- Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Texas): $30,680 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Texas
How to become a Cosmetologist in Texas? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
How long does it take? Most people finish a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas credentials this role through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Texas
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Texas’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; do not copy another state’s hours. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship, though some boards offer a shop-apprentice route.
- Pass written and practical exams. Pass the exams Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before taking paying clients.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Texas
Cosmetologists in Texas complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |