How to Become A Cosmetologist in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 19,350 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,790 1. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.62x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Pennsylvania
How do I become a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Cosmetology Teacher, Cosmetologist, Barber Teacher. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Cosmetology Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Department of State - Cosmetology Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Pennsylvania is $36,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,700 and experienced professionals can earn $68,750 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of State - Cosmetology Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $36,790 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Cosmetology Board oversees cosmetologist licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology Teacher | A cosmetology teacher is licensed to provide instruction to individuals earning hours toward qualifying for any of the cosmetology licensing examinations. Instruction may occur within a licensed shop. |
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetology includes any or all work done for compensation by any person, which work is generally and usually performed by cosmetologists, which work is for the embellishment, cleanliness and beautifi… |
| Barber Teacher | A barber teacher is licensed to provide instruction to individuals earning hours toward qualifying for any of the barber licensing examinations. |
| Barber | Barbering means to shave or trim the beard; to cut, shape, trim or blend the hair with the proper tools or instruments designed for this purpose; to shape the eyebrows, to give facials and scalp massa… |
| Barber Manager | The primary responsibilities of a shop manager are the administration of the business and personnel affairs of the shop and to assure compliance within the shop of all laws of the Commonwealth, and th… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 9,960 | $37,320 | $43,990 | $28,600 | $64,530 |
| Pittsburgh | 4,190 | $38,100 | $43,800 | $23,750 | $77,730 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,350 | $37,690 | $48,540 | $28,490 | $95,840 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 840 | $30,550 | $40,640 | $17,530 | $78,500 |
| Lancaster | 840 | $35,510 | $42,250 | $28,400 | $63,350 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 670 | $35,540 | $41,990 | $23,900 | $68,580 |
| Reading | 620 | $36,350 | $43,980 | $27,700 | $65,100 |
| York-Hanover | 510 | $36,050 | $42,530 | $23,140 | $74,850 |
| Erie | 410 | $35,540 | $41,720 | $23,400 | $78,240 |
| Altoona | 270 | $30,090 | $37,800 | $23,440 | $58,660 |
| State College | 240 | $36,540 | $42,830 | $24,080 | $76,920 |
| Lebanon | 200 | $37,920 | $45,880 | $22,610 | $78,950 |
| Johnstown | 170 | $34,720 | $40,770 | $22,920 | $66,370 |
| Williamsport | 130 | $30,580 | $39,280 | $21,050 | $77,070 |
| Gettysburg | 70 | $36,100 | $41,550 | $26,850 | $60,270 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Cosmetologists in Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 9,960 | $37,320 |
| Pittsburgh | 4,190 | $38,100 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,350 | $37,690 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 840 | $30,550 |
| Lancaster | 840 | $35,510 |
Explore More Trades in Pennsylvania
- Electrician in Pennsylvania
- Plumber in Pennsylvania
- HVAC Technician in Pennsylvania
- Welder in Pennsylvania
- Carpenter in Pennsylvania
- Solar Installation Technician in Pennsylvania
- Auto Mechanic in Pennsylvania
- CNC Machinist in Pennsylvania
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania
- Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 19,350 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Cosmetology Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Pennsylvania is $36,790, which is $1,540 above the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Cosmetology Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |