Methods and apparatus for prioritizing data traffic in small-cell wireless system. In one embodiment, the system utilizes “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with a wireless communication network (e.g., 3GPP 4G-LTE or 5G-NR-based). A “traffic profile” message is used to prioritize the data traffic. In one variant, the traffic profile message is generated by a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) such as a CBRS FWA, and includes data related to CPE identification, default bearer identification, number of client devices served by the CPE (e.g., via a wireless router connected to the CPE), traffic type and/or priority level associated with each client device and/or data traffic type, etc. In another variant, the base station provides data services to a plurality of fixed wireless access (FWA) apparatus installed at user or subscriber premises of a network based on prioritization according to the present disclosure.