How to Become a Pet Groomer in Rhode Island (2026)

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Rhode Island employs about 1,020 pet groomers earning a median $37,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pet groomers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Rhode Island.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Rhode Island): $37,120/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Rhode Island: 1,020 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 1.19x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 12.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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Rhode Island employs approximately 1,020 pet groomers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,120 1. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pet groomer in Rhode Island, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Pet Groomer Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), animal caretakers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick1,450$36,500$41,740$31,510$61,550

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 .

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): $37,120 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pet Groomer in Rhode Island

How to become a pet groomer in Rhode Island? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pet groomers 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 pet groomers earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Rhode Island is $37,120 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,510 and experienced professionals can earn $63,120 or more 1.

How to Become a Pet Groomer in Rhode Island

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Rhode Island that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pet groomers in Rhode Island before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pet groomers in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,020 pet groomers 1. Nationally, pet groomer employment is projected to grow 12.1% 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 pet groomers earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pet groomers in Rhode Island is $37,120, which is $3,650 above the national median of $33,470 according to BLS data 1.

In Rhode Island

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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

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

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)