Esthetician in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Texas employs 6,160 estheticians, with a statewide median of $49,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Estheticians Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $49,250 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $27,390
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,780
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $84,180
- Employed in Texas
- 6,160
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,010 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for estheticians in major Texas markets:
- San Antonio
- $54,400 (640 employed)
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $54,290 (1,620 employed)
- El Paso
- $43,690 (140 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 $49,250 median stretches to roughly $50,721 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow estheticians employment +14.2%, faster than the +6.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,170 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- Complete a Texas-approved esthetics training program (750 hours hours). Programs cover facial treatments, chemical exfoliation, waxing, skin analysis, sanitation, and state cosmetology law. Programs are available at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and dedicated esthetics schools.
- Pass the state esthetics board exam (written theory + practical skills). Texas uses a TDLR-administered written exam and a practical skills exam.
- Apply to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for your esthetician license. Renew biennially (or per state schedule) with CE hours.
Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →
Training in Texas
Texas TDLR-approved esthetics programs are widely available at cosmetology schools across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. Texas estheticians can work in spas, medical esthetics practices (under physician supervision for advanced treatments), and independently. Medical esthetics — laser hair removal, chemical peels, microneedling — is a growing specialty in Texas's large urban markets.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:
- ABC Beauty Academy — Certificate
- Academy Of Hair Design — Certificate
- Academy of Hair Design-Lufkin — Certificate
- Advanced Barber College and Hair Design — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who enjoy beauty, wellness, and client relationships and want a licensed practice with a realistic path to self-employment.
Think twice if: Standing all day, irregular income as a booth renter, and licensing hours that vary wildly by state sound difficult.
Why it's resilient: Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
First Steps
Check your state's required training hours — they range from 260 to 1,500 hours — and find an accredited esthetics school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do estheticians make in Texas?
The median wage for estheticians in Texas is $49,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $27,390, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $84,180. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Esthetician in Texas?
Licensed Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist), overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Complete a Texas-approved esthetics training program (750 hours hours). Programs cover facial treatments, chemical exfoliation, waxing, skin analysis, sanitation, and state cosmetology law. Programs are available at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and dedicated esthetics schools.
Is being an Esthetician a good career in Texas?
Skin care treatments require physical touch, client relationships, and licensed technique that cannot be replicated remotely.
Which Texas metros pay estheticians the most?
Among Texas metro areas, San Antonio leads at $54,400, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($54,290), El Paso ($43,690). 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 an Esthetician in Texas?
Real Texas options include ABC Beauty Academy, Academy Of Hair Design, Academy of Hair Design-Lufkin. Most estheticians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Esthetician a growing career in Texas?
Texas projects estheticians employment to change +14.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,170 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 39-5094. 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.