How to Become a Graphic Designer in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 13,670 graphic designers earning a median $60,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Graphic Designer here means completing a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role.
Texas employs approximately 13,670 graphic designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,150 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Graphic Designer in Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: short course, certificate, or self-directed portfolio work (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role
- Median wage (Texas): $60,150 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Graphic Designer in Texas
How to become a Graphic Designer in Texas? Complete a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Texas? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Texas path.
What do graphic designers earn in Texas? The median annual wage for graphic designers in Texas is $60,150 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,340 and experienced professionals can earn $92,910 or more 1.
How to Become a Graphic Designer in Texas
- Build skills and a portfolio. Complete a short course or certificate if you want structured training, then assemble a portfolio. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Optional industry credentials. Tool or association credentials can help hiring. They are not a state occupational license.
- Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Confirm employer expectations, not a state credential that does not exist.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Graphic Designer License Requirements in Texas
Most states do not license this role. The path is a portfolio and a short course or certificate, not a licensing board.
Typical path
Build skills through a short course, certificate, or OJT.
Assemble a portfolio.
Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Graphic Designer Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Graphic Designers Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), graphic designers 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 | 4,790 | $63,780 | $65,930 | $38,960 | $94,510 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 2,770 | $58,400 | $59,400 | $34,270 | $90,590 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,880 | $65,060 | $70,170 | $40,690 | $101,690 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 970 | $59,710 | $63,980 | $37,180 | $95,680 |
| El Paso | 250 | $48,000 | $50,310 | $30,490 | $76,430 |
| Lubbock | 180 | $46,380 | $48,020 | $18,040 | $74,120 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 160 | $42,170 | $46,380 | $29,190 | $72,650 |
| College Station-Bryan | 110 | $50,530 | $54,990 | $35,570 | $79,990 |
| Tyler | 110 | $44,850 | $48,920 | $34,420 | $65,780 |
| Waco | 110 | $52,920 | $59,140 | $37,230 | $91,170 |
| Amarillo | 90 | $46,220 | $51,120 | $32,900 | $72,870 |
| Midland | 90 | $57,580 | $61,880 | $39,000 | $89,710 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 80 | $45,380 | $50,530 | $30,760 | $73,330 |
| Corpus Christi | 80 | $46,590 | $51,040 | $30,380 | $75,440 |
| Killeen-Temple | 80 | $57,050 | $59,530 | $34,550 | $92,490 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 60 | $48,240 | $51,110 | $29,540 | $86,520 |
| Abilene | 50 | $49,360 | $50,590 | $35,480 | $72,210 |
| Longview | 50 | $49,950 | $52,880 | $34,560 | $74,150 |
| Laredo | 40 | $44,470 | $44,290 | $28,900 | $62,870 |
| Odessa | 40 | $47,630 | $46,580 | $35,490 | $59,470 |
| Texarkana | 40 | $46,140 | $50,770 | $33,890 | $75,540 |
| San Angelo | 30 | $49,860 | $56,220 | $31,010 | $81,330 |
| Sherman-Denison | 30 | $43,920 | $49,800 | $35,720 | $72,830 |
| Wichita Falls | 30 | $44,870 | $46,780 | $29,370 | $66,350 |
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 graphic designers in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 13,670 graphic designers 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
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 graphic designers earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for graphic designers in Texas is $60,150, which is $1,150 below the national median of $61,300 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |