Certifications & licenses in Pennsylvania

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 28 professional credentials in PA. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers

Top-paying

Registered Nurse (RN)

$96,430

insights

What's different about Pennsylvania

Licensing landscape in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

distinct boards

COSMETOLOGY

Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours of instruction to become a licensed cosmetologist, as specified by the State Board of Cosmetology.

PA State Board of Cosmetology

MASSAGE THERAPY

To become a licensed massage therapist, the state requires the completion of a 600-hour educational program.

PA State Board of Massage Therapy

EMT

EMT training programs in Pennsylvania consist of approximately 184-220 hours of instruction to be eligible for certification exams.

PA Department of Health

PLUMBING

Unlike many other trades, plumbing licenses in Pennsylvania are not regulated at the state level but are handled by individual municipalities.

Varies by Municipality

Metro concentration of certified careers

Where certified careers cluster

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

142,460 jobs for Home Health and Personal Care Aides

Healthcare Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Pittsburgh, PA

133,480 jobs

Office and Administrative Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

15,530 jobs for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers

Transportation and Material Moving

BLS OEWS May 2024

Cost-of-living adjusted earnings in Pennsylvania

What nominal wages are actually worth in Pennsylvania

96.0

COL composite index

C2ER March 2026

84.0

Housing index

24th

National rank

A $75K Pennsylvania salary has roughly the purchasing power of a $78K salary in a state with an average cost of living.

Regional comparison: Pennsylvania vs. neighbors

Pennsylvania vs. neighboring states

Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage

State	Median annual wage	vs PA
PA	$44,590	—
NY	$48,590	+9% vs PA
NJ	$46,830	+5% vs PA
DE	$42,030	-6% vs PA
MD	$43,240	-3% vs PA
WV	$36,720	-18% vs PA
OH	$39,010	-13% vs PA

Massage Therapist · Required training hours

State	Required training hours	vs PA
PA	600 hours	—
NY	1000 hours	+400 hours
NJ	600 hours	same as PA
DE	625 hours	+25 hours
MD	750 hours	+150 hours
WV	625 hours	+25 hours
OH	600 hours	same as PA

Sources (13)

health_and_safety

Healthcare in Pennsylvania

14 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	Required	$44,590	4-15 weeks	—
Dental Assistant	Required	$47,930	9-12 months	—
EMT	Required	$43,310	3-6 months	—
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	Required	$63,940	1-2 years	—
Medical Assistant	No	$43,920	4-24 months	—
Medical Coder	No	$46,840	4-24 months	—
Paramedic	Required	$61,000	1-2 years	—
Pharmacy Technician	Required	$40,040	3-12 months	—
Phlebotomist	No	$43,910	4-8 months	—
Radiology Technologist	No	$76,050	2 years	—
Registered Nurse (RN)	Required	$96,430	2-4 years	—
Respiratory Therapist	Required	$78,490	2-4 years	—
Surgical Technologist	Required	$62,680	12-24 months	—
Dental Hygienist	Required	$80,610	2-4 years	—

construction

Skilled Trades in Pennsylvania

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CDL Truck Driver	Required	$58,580	5-11 weeks	—
Electrician	No	$67,600	3-5 years	—
HVAC Technician	No	$62,400	4 years	—
Plumber	No	$68,080	4 years	—
Welder	No	$52,900	6 months to 2 years	—

spa

Personal Care & Wellness in Pennsylvania

4 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Personal Trainer	No	$45,250	1-8 months	—
Barber	Required	$36,920	8-12 months	—
Cosmetologist	Required	$36,790	8-15 months	—
Massage Therapist	Required	$58,300	6-12 months	—

business_center

Professional & Business in Pennsylvania

5 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)	Required	$79,000	1-3 years	$1,165
Notary Public	Required	—	2-4 weeks	$200
Paralegal	No	$63,370	—	—
Insurance Agent	Required	$73,370	2-6 weeks	—
Real Estate Agent	Required	$56,040	2-4 months	—