How to Become a Massage Therapist in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 8,630 massage therapists earning a median $59,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Massage Therapist here means completing a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required, then applying through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Texas): $59,370/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Texas: 8,630 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.97x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 15.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Texas employs approximately 8,630 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,370 1. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 24,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Massage Therapist in Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: board-approved massage therapy program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required
- Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Texas): $59,370 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Texas
How to become a Massage Therapist in Texas? Complete a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required. Apply through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
How long does it take? Most people finish a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required. 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 massage therapists earn in Texas? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Texas is $59,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,870 and experienced professionals can earn $109,970 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist 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.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation publishes. Confirm the current total with the board. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship.
- Pass MBLEx or the state exam. Most states use MBLEx. Confirm with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before taking paying clients where the state licenses massage.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Texas
Massage therapists in Texas complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation where the state licenses the trade. See Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists 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 | 2,930 | $59,010 | $62,390 | $35,100 | $102,760 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 1,930 | $59,150 | $63,400 | $34,970 | $111,040 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,360 | $60,460 | $66,040 | $35,610 | $109,490 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 790 | $56,870 | $62,570 | $35,670 | $108,960 |
| El Paso | 190 | $46,820 | $59,480 | $28,560 | $112,710 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 140 | $47,410 | $54,260 | $29,090 | $96,820 |
| Killeen-Temple | 120 | $54,120 | $62,290 | $34,110 | $97,680 |
| Tyler | 90 | $56,300 | $70,320 | $45,760 | $119,460 |
| Corpus Christi | 80 | $56,210 | $68,800 | $34,110 | $112,130 |
| Abilene | 60 | $68,730 | $76,580 | $54,700 | $101,730 |
| College Station-Bryan | 60 | $49,320 | $52,820 | $31,900 | $60,940 |
| Lubbock | 60 | $54,200 | $55,550 | $31,200 | $87,560 |
| Waco | 60 | $72,560 | $78,360 | $29,530 | $105,490 |
| Longview | 50 | $54,480 | $57,230 | $28,820 | $68,840 |
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 massage therapists in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 8,630 massage therapists 1. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a massage therapist 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 massage therapists earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Texas is $59,370, which is $1,420 above the national median of $57,950 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) |