Tangshan is named after Dacheng Mountain (formerly known as Tangshan) in the middle of the city. She belonged to the Guzhu State and the Shanrong State in the Shang Dynasty, and the Yan State in the Warring States, and Youzhou in the Han Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty she belonged to Pingzhou and Jizhou. As for the Liao Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty, she was in the jurisdiction of Nanjing Prefecture, Zhongdu Prefecture, and Beijing Prefecture. She belonged to Zhongshu Province, Dadu Prefecture, and Yongping Prefecture in the Yuan Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, she belonged to Shuntian Prefecture, Yongping Prefecture and Zunhua Prefecture. In the third year of Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1877), Qiaotun Town was built, which was later changed to Tangshan Town. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), the political district system all followed that of the Qing Dynasty. In 1929, the Province of Zhili was renamed Hebei Province. In view of Tangshan's special economic and political status, the puppet Anti-communist Autonomous Government of North Hebei ordered that Tangshan be established On January 28, 1939 as a city, which was initially called "Tangshan Municipal Government", and later renamed "Tangshan Municipal Office". After Japan's surrender, members of the Kuomintang in Peiping took over the Japanese and puppet regime and set up the Office of the Inspector.  

On October 1, 1949, after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Tangshan remained a provincial-level city with 12 districts.

On April 28, 1958, the State Council approved Tangshan City to be led by the Tangshan Prefecture.

On June 3, 1959, the Central Government designated Tangshan as one of China’s 45 open cities.

In October 1982, the Tangshan Municipal People's Government was established.

On December 15, 1984, the State Council approved Tangshan as one of China’s 13 "larger cities".

In 1995, Tangshan administered 5 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, and New District), 8 counties (Fengrun, Luanxian, Luannan, Leting, Qian’an, Qianxi, Yutian, and Tanghai), and 2 county-level cities (Fengnan and Zunhua) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 2 farms (Lutai and Hangu). Subordinate to these were 31 sub-districts, 115 towns, and 128 townships.

In 1996, Qian’an County was abolished to establish Qian’an City.

In 2002, Fengnan City was abolished to establish Fengnan District of Tangshan; Fengrun County and New District were abolished to establish Fengrun District of Tangshan.

In 2003, Lutai Farm became Lutai Economic Development Zone, and Hangu Farm became Hangu Management Area.

In 2012, Tanghai County was abolished to establish Caofeidian District of Tangshan.

In 2018, Luanxian County was abolished to establish Luanzhou City. By the end of 2018, Tangshan City governed 7 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, Fengnan, Fengrun, and Caofeidian), 4 counties (Luannan, Leting, Qianxi, and Yutian), and 3 county-level cities (Zunhua, Qian'an, and Luanzhou) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 4 development zones (management areas): Lutai, Hangu, High-tech Zone, and Haigang. Subordinate to these were 54 sub-districts, 132 towns, and 45 townships.

In 2019, Hancheng Town in Fengrun District was placed under the jurisdiction of Lubei District.

In 2020, 14 townships (Guoyuan, Daxianggezhuang, Han’erzhuang, Donglianhuayuan, Xinzhuangzi, Chenjiapu, Cuijiazhuang, Kouzhaung, Pengdianzi, Shangsheyanzhuang, Yanjiadian, Wuchong’an, Dawuli, and Taipingzhuang) were converted into towns. By the end of 2020, Tangshan administered 7 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, Fengnan, Fengrun, and Caofeidian), 4 counties (Luannan, Leting, Qianxi, and Yutian), and 3 county-level cities (Zunhua, Qian'an, and Luanzhou) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 4 development zones (management areas): Lutai, Hangu, High-tech Zone, and Haigang. Subordinate to these were 54 sub-districts, 146 towns, and 31 townships, with 738 neighborhood committees and 5,382 village committees.

In 2021, 7 townships (Nvzhizhai Township in Lunan District, Nansunzhuang Township in Fengnan District, Baimiaozi Township and Shangying Township in Qianxi County, Xiliucun Township, Xingwangzhai Township, and Xisanli Township in Zunhua City) were converted into towns. By the end of 2021, Tangshan administered 7 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, Fengnan, Fengrun, and Caofeidian), 4 counties (Luannan, Leting, Qianxi, and Yutian), and 3 county-level cities (Zunhua, Qian'an, and Luanzhou) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 4 development zones (management areas): Lutai, Hangu, High-tech Zone, and Haigang. Subordinate to these were 54 sub-districts, 153 towns, and 24 townships, with 744 neighborhood committees and 5,382 village committees.

By the end of 2022, Tangshan administered 7 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, Fengnan, Fengrun, and Caofeidian), 4 counties (Luannan, Leting, Qianxi, and Yutian), and 3 county-level cities (Zunhua, Qian'an, and Luanzhou) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 4 development zones (management areas): Lutai, Hangu, High-tech Zone, and Haigang. Subordinate to these were 54 sub-districts, 158 towns, and 19 townships, with 746 neighborhood committees and 5,382 village committees.

By the end of 2023, Tangshan administered 7 districts (Lunan, Lubei, Guye, Kaiping, Fengnan, Fengrun, and Caofeidian), 4 counties (Luannan, Leting, Qianxi, and Yutian), and 3 county-level cities (Zunhua, Qian'an, and Luanzhou) as delegated by the province. Additionally, it governed 4 development zones (management areas): Lutai, Hangu, High-tech Zone, and Haigang. Subordinate to these were 54 sub-districts, 158 towns, and 19 townships, with 756 neighborhood committees and 5,382 village committees.