Barber in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Licensed local services

Texas employs 2,580 barbers, with a statewide median of $30,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Barbers Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $30,760 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $28,340
Experienced (75th percentile): $37,160
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,430
Employed in Texas: 2,580
U.S. median (for comparison): $18.73/hr (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for barbers in major Texas markets:

Dallas–Fort Worth: $33,000 (790 employed)
Austin: $32,770 (400 employed)
Houston: $30,690 (630 employed)
San Antonio: $29,090 (350 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $30,760 median stretches to roughly $31,679 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow barbers employment +10.6%, faster than the +4.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,870 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Class A Barber license — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Complete 1,000 hours at a TDLR-licensed barber/cosmetology school (roughly 6–10 months full time).
Take the written exam once you hit 900 hours; take the practical exam after completing all 1,000 hours.
Texas merged barbering and cosmetology regulation under TDLR, so dual-license paths are streamlined if you want broader services.

Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →

Training in Texas

Texas's 1,000-hour requirement is lower than many states (some require 1,500). Booth rental economics vary a lot by city — research chair rent in your target neighborhood before assuming take-home pay. Houston, DFW, and San Antonio have strong barbershop cultures and steady demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

ABC Beauty Academy — Certificate
Academy Of Hair Design — Certificate
Academy of Hair Design-Lufkin — Certificate / Associate
Advanced Barber College and Hair Design — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Social, detail-oriented people who want a portable service skill.

Think twice if: Standing all day, variable income, or constant customer interaction sounds exhausting.

Why it's resilient: Barbering is personal, local, licensed, tactile, and built on repeat trust.

First Steps

Compare state barber-hour requirements and local school placement outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do barbers make in Texas?

The median wage for barbers in Texas is $30,760 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,340, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Barber in Texas?

Class A Barber license, overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Complete 1,000 hours at a TDLR-licensed barber/cosmetology school (roughly 6–10 months full time).

Is being a Barber a good career in Texas?

Barbering is personal, local, licensed, tactile, and built on repeat trust.

Which Texas metros pay barbers the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Dallas–Fort Worth leads at $33,000, followed by Austin ($32,770), Houston ($30,690). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Barber in Texas?

Real Texas options include ABC Beauty Academy, Academy Of Hair Design, Academy of Hair Design-Lufkin. Most barbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Barber a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects barbers employment to change +10.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,870 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5011. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Texas wages · Texas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.