How to Become a Recovery Coach in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 4,210 recovery coaches earning a median $48,720 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Community Health Workers”). No statewide license is required; most recovery coaches train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.
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Compare Recovery Coach 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 | Dallas College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 3 | McLennan Community College | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,348 | Not reported | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 4 | Weatherford College | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $59,564 | Not reported | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 5 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 6 | Texas State Technical College | 47.6 | Contact school for pricing | $55,511 | 41% | Yes* | 53 mi |
| 7 | San Antonio College | 42.3 | $3,412 - $12,343 | $47,341 | 24% | Yes* | 130 mi |
| 8 | Central Texas College | 37.4 | $3,750 - $13,822 | $60,854 | 13% | Yes* | 9 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.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs approximately 4,210 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category (SOC 21-1094), with a median annual wage of $48,720 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a recovery coach in Texas, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track recovery coach salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094). Actual recovery coach earnings may vary.
Recovery Coach Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Recovery Coach Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Note: The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), community health workers 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 | 810 | $51,010 | $54,170 | $40,720 | $65,760 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 810 | $50,330 | $52,690 | $38,630 | $65,970 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 700 | $51,470 | $51,880 | $41,540 | $61,300 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 500 | $51,010 | $53,300 | $43,610 | $62,670 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 210 | $31,340 | $35,130 | $22,970 | $50,160 |
| El Paso | 110 | $45,240 | $44,190 | $33,950 | $49,590 |
| Laredo | 100 | $43,940 | $42,600 | $29,720 | $46,490 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 80 | $33,080 | $38,920 | $29,000 | $61,870 |
| Corpus Christi | 60 | $37,650 | $44,890 | $33,080 | $67,480 |
| Lubbock | 60 | $46,740 | $48,880 | $37,510 | $55,710 |
| Amarillo | 50 | $39,340 | $44,540 | $35,870 | $56,200 |
| Tyler | 50 | $45,490 | $45,930 | $39,090 | $55,480 |
| Wichita Falls | 50 | $38,100 | $40,650 | $23,890 | $52,330 |
| College Station-Bryan | 40 | $39,040 | $41,930 | $35,190 | $52,000 |
| Killeen-Temple | 40 | $49,300 | $55,520 | $43,610 | $79,990 |
| Waco | 40 | $48,290 | $51,690 | $38,500 | $70,070 |
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 .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation
- Median wage (Texas): $48,720 per year (based on related “Community Health Workers” category) 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Recovery Coach in Texas
How to become a recovery coach in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as COUNSELOR, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY. The licensing authority is the Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for recovery coachs. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do recovery coachs earn in Texas? The BLS does not track recovery coach wages separately. Based on the related “Community Health Workers” category, the median annual wage in Texas is $48,720, with entry-level wages around $36,250 and experienced workers earning $64,290 or more 1.
Top Metros for Recovery coaches in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest recovery coach 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 | 810 | $51,010 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 810 | $50,330 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 700 | $51,470 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 500 | $51,010 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 210 | $31,340 |
How to Become a Recovery Coach 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 CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) 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.
Recovery Coach License Requirements in Texas
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation oversees recovery coach licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| COUNSELOR, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY | Chemical dependency counselors assist individuals or groups in developing an understanding of chemical dependency problems. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for recovery coachs in Texas? Texas employs approximately 4,210 workers in the related “Community Health Workers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 11.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a recovery coach in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation 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 recovery coachs earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for recovery coachs in Texas is $48,720 (based on the related “Community Health Workers” category), which is $2,310 below the national median of $51,030 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 Health and Human Services Commission - Licensing, Credentialing and Regulation - Licensing Information: https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/licensing-credentialing-regulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |