How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 11,350 mental health technicians earning a median $39,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most mental health technicians train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.
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Compare Mental Health Technician Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarrant County College District | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,928 | 29% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 2 | McLennan Community College | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,348 | Not reported | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 3 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 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 11,350 mental health technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,970 1. Nationally, mental health technician employment is projected to grow 20.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 15,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a mental health technician in Texas, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Mental Health Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Psychiatric Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), psychiatric technicians wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 3,300 | $43,320 | $43,470 | $35,600 | $49,870 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 3,020 | $41,940 | $42,880 | $36,570 | $48,240 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,590 | $40,610 | $42,830 | $36,600 | $47,560 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,160 | $38,360 | $40,360 | $31,770 | $49,250 |
| El Paso | 240 | $35,540 | $35,260 | $30,860 | $38,990 |
| Killeen-Temple | 210 | $37,110 | $40,470 | $34,670 | $50,520 |
| Amarillo | 150 | $35,090 | $35,400 | $33,240 | $39,350 |
| Corpus Christi | 130 | $37,520 | $41,090 | $28,580 | $60,570 |
| Waco | 100 | $36,660 | $36,240 | $31,190 | $43,100 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 80 | $37,990 | $38,830 | $30,980 | $47,160 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 80 | $31,770 | $34,710 | $29,120 | $37,800 |
| San Angelo | 80 | $36,680 | $37,640 | $30,760 | $43,110 |
| Tyler | 60 | $34,400 | $36,820 | $32,700 | $44,810 |
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): $39,970 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming A Mental Health Technician in Texas
How do I become a mental health technician in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for mental health technicians 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 mental health technicians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for mental health technicians in Texas is $39,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,240 and experienced professionals can earn $49,250 or more 1.
Top Metros for Mental health technicians in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest mental health technician 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 3,300 | $43,320 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 3,020 | $41,940 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 1,590 | $40,610 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,160 | $38,360 |
| El Paso | 240 | $35,540 |
How to Become a Mental Health Technician 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.
- Earn an industry certification. While Texas does not require a statewide license, earn the relevant industry certification to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.
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 mental health technicians in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 11,350 mental health technicians 1. Nationally, mental health technician employment is projected to grow 20.0% 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 mental health technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for mental health technicians in Texas is $39,970, which is $2,620 below the national median of $42,590 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) |