Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Rhode Island, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $31,200 at the median, or about $15 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $39K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $30,657 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,544/month, about 71.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $31K get you in Rhode Island?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Rhode Island runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $36K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,544/month, which is 70.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologistss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $31K. Top earners bring in $39K or more, a $7K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $31K | +0% | 2,120 |
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $31K, rent takes 70.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $31K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,872/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 82% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist a high-paying job in Rhode Island?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $31K here vs. $36K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Rhode Island pays $31K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $31K — below the national median.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Rhode Island?
The median is $31,200 a year, that works out to about $15 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,200, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $38,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $31K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,193/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 70.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary go in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary is worth about $30,657 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.