"How long does it take to become an esthetician in Rhode Island?"

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

"Do estheticians need a license in Rhode Island?"

"Yes. Rhode Island requires state-level licensing or registration for estheticians, administered by the RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for estheticians 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 An Esthetician in Rhode Island

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), estheticians in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $43,880. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is roughly 0.49 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"Rhode Island currently employs approximately 120 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.7% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Rhode Island skincare specialists earn a median annual wage of $43,880 ($21.10/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 120 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -3.2% below the national median of $45,330 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $43,880 ($21.10/hr)
25th percentile: $34,900 per year
75th percentile: $62,400 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $62,400 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $33,710 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 120
Versus national median: -3.2% below the U.S. median of $45,330
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.49 - this occupation is less 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 120 estheticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,880 ¹. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,500 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an esthetician in Rhode Island, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming An Esthetician in Rhode Island

How do I become an esthetician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island requires credentials such as Hairdresser, Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist. The licensing authority is the RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

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.

Do I need a license in Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island has licensing or registration requirements for estheticians. The RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do estheticians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for estheticians in Rhode Island is $43,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,710 and experienced professionals can earn $62,400 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation
Median wage (Rhode Island): $43,880 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Esthetician License Requirements in Rhode Island

The RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation oversees esthetician licensing in Rhode Island ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Hairdresser, Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist	Hairdressers and cosmetologists shampoo, cut and style hair, analyze the condition of the hair and advise patrons on hair care.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Esthetician Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Skincare Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), skincare specialists 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	190	$44,900	$47,430	$34,440	$62,400

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 Estheticians in Rhode Island

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest esthetician 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	190	$44,900

Explore esthetician programs in Providence.

Explore More Trades in Rhode Island

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for estheticians in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 120 estheticians ¹. Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 6.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an esthetician in Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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 estheticians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for estheticians in Rhode Island is $43,880, which is $2,320 above the national median of $41,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Health - Office of Facilities Regulation - Licensing Information: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

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)