Wireless communication devices are adapted to utilize maximum permissible exposure requirements in determining uplink traffic grant allocations within wireless communication systems. According to one example, a wireless communication device can determine one or more candidate uplink duty cycles for a subsequent uplink transmission interval based at least in part on an MPE requirement, determine a maximum number of resource blocks per symbol and a maximum MSC index associated with each of the one or more candidate uplink duty cycles from a predefined MCS index table, and select a duty cycle, number of resource blocks per symbol, and MCS that facilitates a largest number of un-coded bits for the subsequent uplink transmission interval. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.