Personal Care & Fitness Allentown, PA Pop. 126,092

Cosmetologist Salary in Allentown, Pennsylvania

The median cosmetologist salary in Allentown, PA is $32,975 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 2.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$32,975
vs State Avg
$-702
vs National
$-2,105
Cost of Living
94%

Cosmetologist Pay in Allentown: What to Expect (2026)

Allentown offers a median cosmetologist salary of $32,975, which is $702 below the Pennsylvania state average of $33,677. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Allentown pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Allentown's cost of living is 94% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Allentown spans from $20,680 at the 10th percentile to $54,520 at the 90th percentile — a $33,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,560, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $51,700. With a population of 126,092, Allentown is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Cosmetologist Salary in Allentown by Experience

In Allentown, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $22,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $51,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,560
$-1,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,840
$-2,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$51,700
$-3,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Allentown, PA

Percentile Allentown
10th Percentile $20,680
25th Percentile $25,380
Median (50th) $32,975
75th Percentile $43,240
90th Percentile $54,520

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$35,782
Pop. 1,603,797
Pittsburgh, PA
$32,624
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$30,870
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$29,467
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Allentown

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Allentown and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Hair StylingColor TheorySkincareMakeup ApplicationClient RelationsSanitation

Job Outlook

Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Allentown may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Allentown

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Allentown, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Allentown

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Allentown, PA? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Allentown, Pennsylvania is $32,975 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $20,680 (10th percentile) to $54,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Allentown? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,975, a cosmetologist in Allentown earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Allentown compare to the Pennsylvania state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Allentown's median cosmetologist salary of $32,975 is 2.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $33,677. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Allentown, PA? ▼
Allentown has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $32,975 in Allentown has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Allentown? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Allentown require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Hair Styling, Color Theory, Skincare, Makeup Application. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.