Cosmetologist in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Texas employs 22,440 cosmetologists, with a statewide median of $30,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Cosmetologists Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $30,680 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $23,580
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $47,180
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $59,730
- Employed in Texas
- 22,440
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $36,110 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for cosmetologists in major Texas markets:
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $33,960 (6,630 employed)
- San Antonio
- $30,460 (2,210 employed)
- El Paso
- $26,970 (510 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 $30,680 median stretches to roughly $31,596 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow cosmetologists employment +12.4%, faster than the +5.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 5,920 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
Cosmetologist License — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- Complete a Texas-approved cosmetology program (1,500 hours hours) at a licensed cosmetology school. Programs cover hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, skin care basics, nail care basics, cosmetology law, and sanitation.
- Pass the state cosmetology board exam — both the written (theory) and practical (hands-on) components. Most states use the NICS (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) exam or a state-specific exam.
- Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for your cosmetologist license. Renew biennially with CE hours. Cosmetologists can work in salons, spas, barber shops, theatrical/film makeup, and as educators once licensed.
Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →
Training in Texas
Texas's cosmetology schools are plentiful and the market is large. The Texas salon industry is very active — Dallas's Uptown/Knox-Henderson and Houston's River Oaks/Montrose neighborhoods have high concentrations of upscale salons. South Texas has strong bilingual (Spanish) stylist demand. Texas graduates must pass both a TDLR written exam and a practical exam.
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: People who are creative, social, and want a licensed practice with real self-employment potential once they build a clientele.
Think twice if: Standing all day, chemical exposure, irregular booth-rental income, and state-mandated training hours of 1,000–1,600 sound like barriers.
Why it's resilient: Hair styling and cosmetology services are built on physical technique and personal client relationships — inherently local and human.
First Steps
Check your state's required hours, compare licensed school costs, and ask about job placement rates before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cosmetologists make in Texas?
The median wage for cosmetologists in Texas is $30,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $23,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $59,730. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Cosmetologist in Texas?
Cosmetologist License, overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Complete a Texas-approved cosmetology program (1,500 hours hours) at a licensed cosmetology school. Programs cover hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, skin care basics, nail care basics, cosmetology law, and sanitation.
Is being a Cosmetologist a good career in Texas?
Hair styling and cosmetology services are built on physical technique and personal client relationships — inherently local and human.
Which Texas metros pay cosmetologists the most?
Among Texas metro areas, Dallas–Fort Worth leads at $33,960, followed by San Antonio ($30,460), El Paso ($26,970). 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 Cosmetologist in Texas?
Real Texas options include ABC Beauty Academy, Academy Of Hair Design, Academy of Hair Design-Lufkin. Most cosmetologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Cosmetologist a growing career in Texas?
Texas projects cosmetologists employment to change +12.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 5,920 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 39-5012. 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.