Barber in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX
How to Become a Barber in Texas
To become a licensed Class A Barber in Texas, individuals must complete a 1,000-hour training program at a TDLR-licensed barbering/cosmetology school. After completing the required education, applicants must pass both a written and practical examination administered by PSI. Finally, a non-refundable application fee of $50 is required to obtain the license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). While Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for barbers, TDLR does evaluate out-of-state licenses for substantial equivalence.
Barber Requirements in Texas
| Detail | Texas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 1000-hour training program |
| Exam | PSI Barber Examination (Written and Practical) ($133) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 17. CE hours must include 1 hour in sanitation and 1 hour in human trafficking awareness. If licensed for 15 years or more, only 2 CE hours are required (1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking awareness). |
License Tiers
Texas offers multiple tiers of barber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Class A Barber | 1,000 |
Barber Salary in Texas
The median barber salary in Texas is $36,400 per year, which is 6.6% below the national median of $38,960.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $27,310 |
| 25th | $29,150 |
| 50th (median) | $36,400 |
| 75th | $64,140 |
| 90th (experienced) | $94,350 |
Texas employs approximately 3,920 barbers.
Barber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Barbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.73/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Barber in Texas Worth It?
Factors to consider: Texas's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.