Systems and methods are provided for dynamically allocating total uplink power for a wireless communication device (WCD). A distance between a portion of a user's body (e.g., the user's ear) and the WCD is determined. It is then determined whether this distance is less than or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the distance is less than the predetermined threshold, the WCD may use a lower uplink power. If the distance is greater than the predetermined threshold, the WCD may use a higher uplink power. The WCD then transmits wireless uplink signals using either the lower or higher uplink power based on the distance between the WCD and a portion of the user's body.