How to Become a Personal Trainer in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 19,260 personal trainers earning a median $40,880 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most personal trainers train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.
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Compare Personal Trainer Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamson Institute | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $49,241 | 77% | — | 130 mi |
| 2 | 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 19,260 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,880 1. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a personal trainer in Texas, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors 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 | 5,870 | $45,690 | $47,410 | $24,170 | $78,240 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 4,560 | $44,890 | $46,580 | $22,340 | $77,790 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 3,290 | $37,120 | $43,520 | $15,820 | $80,030 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,720 | $45,640 | $47,530 | $22,920 | $75,960 |
| El Paso | 350 | $37,550 | $38,770 | $18,060 | $59,720 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 290 | $36,250 | $37,170 | $18,720 | $50,240 |
| Lubbock | 250 | $30,170 | $33,970 | $18,120 | $49,530 |
| College Station-Bryan | 230 | $37,970 | $40,400 | $18,590 | $56,940 |
| Corpus Christi | 180 | $41,600 | $43,890 | $22,950 | $65,350 |
| Killeen-Temple | 180 | $34,780 | $39,810 | $19,930 | $60,830 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 160 | $41,660 | $42,180 | $21,670 | $62,390 |
| Amarillo | 150 | $38,020 | $40,730 | $22,360 | $61,550 |
| Midland | 150 | $40,690 | $42,550 | $21,400 | $62,820 |
| Waco | 120 | $37,830 | $42,420 | $19,540 | $73,540 |
| Laredo | 100 | $34,970 | $36,630 | $21,350 | $52,130 |
| San Angelo | 100 | $40,770 | $42,270 | $18,320 | $56,400 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 90 | $32,800 | $33,750 | $17,420 | $48,930 |
| Abilene | 80 | $34,170 | $41,370 | $22,780 | $73,320 |
| Odessa | 70 | $42,110 | $43,370 | $23,710 | $58,310 |
| Tyler | 70 | $35,110 | $39,520 | $21,770 | $55,850 |
| Wichita Falls | 70 | $46,090 | $42,350 | $24,970 | $56,150 |
| Sherman-Denison | 60 | $28,720 | $34,980 | $21,810 | $49,170 |
| Victoria | 60 | $47,400 | $42,040 | $17,230 | $74,940 |
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
- Licensing authority: Texas Racing Commission
- Median wage (Texas): $40,880 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Texas
How do I become a personal trainer in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as Racing – Kennel Owner/Trainer, Racing – Owner-Trainer, Racing –Assistant Trainer/Owner. The licensing authority is the Texas Racing Commission 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Texas Racing Commission oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Texas? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Texas is $40,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,930 and experienced professionals can earn $76,340 or more 1.
Top Metros for Personal trainers in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 5,870 | $45,690 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 4,560 | $44,890 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 3,290 | $37,120 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,720 | $45,640 |
| El Paso | 350 | $37,550 |
How to Become a Personal Trainer 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 NASM Certified Personal Trainer 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.
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Texas
The Texas Racing Commission oversees personal trainer licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Racing – Kennel Owner/Trainer | An individual 18 years of age or older who has been approved by the Association to operate a Kennel on Association grounds and who is sole or part owner of record or lessor or lessee of a properly reg… |
| Racing – Owner-Trainer | An individual 18 years of age or older who has qualified as a Trainer and who trains animals for which the person is (1) the owner/lessee/lessor of record; or (2) has an ownership interest in any prop… |
| Racing –Assistant Trainer/Owner | An individual hired by a licensed Trainer and is 18 years of age or older who has met the qualifications required by the Board of Stewards/Judges. |
| Racing – Kennel Owner/Owner-Trainer | An individual 18 years of age or older who has been approved by the Association to operate a Kennel on Association grounds and who is sole or part owner of record or lessor or lessee of a properly reg… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 19,260 personal trainers 1. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a personal trainer in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Racing Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 personal trainers earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Texas is $40,880, which is $5,300 below the national median of $46,180 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 Racing Commission - Licensing Information: http://www.txrc.texas.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |