"How long does it take to become a cosmetologist in Rhode Island?"

"Most paths into the cosmetologist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Rhode Island?"

"In Rhode Island, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Cosmetologist in Rhode Island

Q: "How much do cosmetologists earn in Rhode Island?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $31,200. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is about 1.49 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Rhode Island?"

"Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,470 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Rhode Island hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $31,200 ($15.00/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,470 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -12.8% below the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $31,200 ($15.00/hr)
25th percentile: $31,200 per year
75th percentile: $32,950 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $38,630 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $31,200 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 1,470
Versus national median: -12.8% below the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.49 - this occupation is more concentrated in Rhode Island than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Rhode Island employs approximately 1,470 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,200 ¹. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.49x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in Rhode Island, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Rhode Island

How do I become a cosmetologist in Rhode Island? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cosmetologists in Rhode Island.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cosmetologists earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Rhode Island is $31,200 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $38,630 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Rhode Island): $31,200 per year ¹

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	2,120	$31,200	$40,070	$31,200	$65,430

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Cosmetologists in Rhode Island

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Rhode Island according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Providence-Warwick	2,120	$31,200

Explore More Trades in Rhode Island

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,470 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Rhode Island.

How much do cosmetologists earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Rhode Island is $31,200, which is $4,050 below the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)