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). Training as a Mental Health Technician here means completing a short mental-health technician certificate or employer training; most states do not license this role.
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 licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: mental-health technician certificate or employer training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short mental-health technician certificate or employer training; most states do not license this role
- Median wage (Texas): $39,970 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Texas
How to become a Mental Health Technician in Texas? Complete a short mental-health technician certificate or employer training; 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 mental-health technician certificate or employer training; 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 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.
How to Become a Mental Health Technician in Texas
- Complete a short program or employer training. Finish a mental-health technician certificate or train on the job. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- This is not psychiatric technician licensure. A licensed psychiatric technician is a different occupation. Do not treat that license, or a health-information technician credential, as the mental-health tech path.
- Most states do not license this role. Confirm employer and facility rules. Do not apply to a licensing board for a credential that does not exist.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Mental Health Technician License Requirements in Texas
Most states do not license mental health technicians. This role is not psychiatric technician licensure and not health-information technology. Employers typically want a short certificate or on-the-job training.
Typical path
Complete a short certificate or employer training.
Do not apply for a psychiatric technician or HIT license as this path.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Mental Health Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Psychiatric Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
Related guides
In Texas
Top local programs
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Abilene, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Alice, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Allen, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Alvin, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Amarillo, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Arlington, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Balch Springs, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Baytown, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Beaumont, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Bedford, Texas (2026)
- Best Mental Health Tech Programs in Belton, 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) |