Pennsylvania · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services institutions in Pennsylvania, ranked by earnings

The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…

Institutions
61
offering CIP 12.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
3,839
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$19,048
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
42
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,788
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
74%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$38,050
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Metro Beauty Academy
Allentown Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$21,22611396%$20,001$13,381
2Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
Washington Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,8718984%$18,412$11,318
3South Hills Beauty Academy
Pittsburgh Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,85216494%$6,075$7,662
4Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork
Lancaster Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,62415270%$13,071$7,208
5Douglas Education Center
Monessen Private for-profit · Associate degree
$19,34711488%$27,934$12,000
6The Salon Professional Academy - Altoona
Altoona Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,0486691%$21,213$9,936
7Empire Beauty School - Pottsville
Pottsville Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$18,6393360%$18,573$13,849
8Premier Barber Institute
Norristown Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$18,4244270%$21,154$13,583
9Altoona Beauty School Inc
Altoona Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$18,18810092%$28,134$7,544
10Barber School of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$17,8905865%$21,614$13,583

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.6%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~75,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$35,250
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionMonitoring

What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Pennsylvania

Jobs in Pennsylvania
18,630
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$38,050
median $29,680
Best-paying metro
$43,960
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Related careers

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$38,050 avg · 18,630 jobs
Manicurists and Pedicurists
$28,190 avg · 8,680 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
$48,320 avg · 6,050 jobs
Skincare Specialists
$44,280 avg · 3,320 jobs
Shampooers
$26,630 avg · 1,210 jobs
Barbers
$40,580 avg · 920 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Pennsylvania.

Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Metro Beauty Academy tops the list at $21,226. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Pennsylvania?+

The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Pennsylvania is $38,050 (median $29,680), across about 18,630 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program?+

The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?+

The national job outlook is about +5.6% growth with around 75,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in other statesNorth DakotaWyomingMinnesotaVermontNew HampshireNebraskaSouth DakotaWashington

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