Personal Care & Fitness Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Cosmetologist Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median cosmetologist salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $32,624 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$32,624
vs State Avg
$-1,053
vs National
$-2,456
Cost of Living
93%

Cosmetologist Pay in Pittsburgh: What to Expect (2026)

Pittsburgh offers a median cosmetologist salary of $32,624, which is $1,053 below the Pennsylvania state average of $33,677. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% 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 Pittsburgh spans from $20,460 at the 10th percentile to $53,940 at the 90th percentile — a $33,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,320, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $51,150. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Cosmetologist Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $22,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $51,150 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,480
$-2,520 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$51,150
$-3,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $20,460
25th Percentile $25,110
Median (50th) $32,624
75th Percentile $42,780
90th Percentile $53,940

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$35,782
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$32,975
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$30,870
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$29,467
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Pittsburgh

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $32,624 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $20,460 (10th percentile) to $53,940 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,624, a cosmetologist in Pittsburgh earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median cosmetologist salary of $32,624 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $33,677. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $32,624 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Pittsburgh 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.