Highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island
Answer
Computer and Information Systems Managers have the highest median pay in Rhode Island, $167,270 a year, followed by human resources managers ($167,110) and financial managers ($166,940). The median for all jobs in Rhode Island is $56,780, 13th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 11th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $56,780
- 13th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $27.30
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 102.3
- Median worth $55,514 at US prices (11th)
- Jobs
- 501,340
- 514 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Rhode Island, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Rhode Island are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $167,270 | $80.42 | 1,210 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Human Resources Managers | $167,110 | $80.34 | 530 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Financial Managers | $166,940 | $80.26 | 2,570 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Sales Managers | $154,970 | $74.50 | 1,120 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Physician Assistants | $139,930 | $67.27 | 810 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 6 | Lawyers | $138,960 | $66.81 | 1,840 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 | 970 | $130,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Nurse Practitioners | $135,970 | $65.37 | 1,180 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 9 | Computer Systems Analysts | $134,630 | $64.73 | 1,850 | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Software Developers | $130,590 | $62.78 | 5,070 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Administrative Services Managers | $128,980 | $62.01 | 780 | $114,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Pharmacists | $128,180 | $61.63 | 1,510 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 13 | Industrial Production Managers | $124,120 | $59.67 | 940 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $121,470 | $58.40 | 500 | $140,300 | Master's degree |
| 15 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $119,980 | — | 1,160 | $105,870 | Master's degree |
| 16 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $119,260 | $57.34 | 3,370 | $123,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $117,670 | $56.57 | 530 | $104,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | General and Operations Managers | $117,380 | $56.43 | 9,150 | $105,770 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Mechanical Engineers | $116,230 | $55.88 | 1,560 | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Information Security Analysts | $109,420 | $52.61 | 710 | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Industrial Engineers | $109,350 | $52.57 | 990 | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $106,520 | $51.21 | 1,140 | $104,590 | Master's degree |
| 23 | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 | 550 | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Project Management Specialists | $104,680 | $50.33 | 3,880 | $102,320 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Speech-Language Pathologists | $104,000 | $50.00 | 720 | $97,870 | Master's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $98,590 | $47.40 | 2,060 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 | 820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $86,520 | $41.60 | 1,150 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Food Service Managers | $82,850 | $39.83 | 760 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $82,420 | $39.63 | 4,870 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,650 | $39.25 | 2,660 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $80,260 | $38.59 | 730 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Chefs and Head Cooks | $79,930 | $38.43 | 740 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Insurance Sales Agents | $79,930 | $38.43 | 1,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $78,840 | $37.91 | 1,460 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $77,820 | $37.41 | 950 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 | 1,940 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,470 | $36.77 | 1,820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $76,030 | $36.55 | 5,090 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Electricians | $74,090 | $35.62 | 2,420 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Rhode Island
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 13,310 | $31,490 | $15.14 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 12,830 | $34,860 | $16.76 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Nursing Assistants | 10,220 | $46,440 | $22.33 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 4 | Waiters and Waitresses | 10,160 | $35,420 | $17.03 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Registered Nurses | 10,090 | $100,640 | $48.39 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Cashiers | 9,260 | $34,860 | $16.76 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | General and Operations Managers | 9,150 | $117,380 | $56.43 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Customer Service Representatives | 7,890 | $47,550 | $22.86 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Office Clerks, General | 7,700 | $47,830 | $23.00 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 7,490 | $43,680 | $21.00 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 7,270 | $37,310 | $17.94 | No formal educational credential |
| 12 | Cooks, Restaurant | 6,950 | $36,510 | $17.55 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 6,760 | $41,690 | $20.05 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 6,660 | $36,470 | $17.53 | No formal educational credential |
| 15 | Accountants and Auditors | 6,570 | $95,820 | $46.07 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 5,200 | $37,220 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 17 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 5,200 | $52,140 | $25.07 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 5,090 | $76,030 | $36.55 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Software Developers | 5,070 | $130,590 | $62.78 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 4,910 | $92,610 | — | Bachelor's degree |
Jobs concentrated in Rhode Island
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 7.5× | 540 | $48,800 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 4.2× | 500 | $121,470 |
| 3 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 3.1× | 970 | $136,360 |
| 4 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 2.9× | 540 | $79,190 |
| 5 | Fundraisers | 2.8× | 1,000 | $75,410 |
| 6 | Community Health Workers | 2.6× | 520 | $53,100 |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | 2.4× | 770 | $85,170 |
| 8 | Interior Designers | 2.4× | 550 | $58,100 |
| 9 | Nursing Assistants | 2.2× | 10,220 | $46,440 |
| 10 | Phlebotomists | 2.1× | 970 | $46,380 |
| 11 | Social and Community Service Managers | 2.0× | 1,370 | $77,570 |
| 12 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | 2.0× | 1,140 | $106,520 |
What 120 careers pay in Rhode Island
Click a heading to sort
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | — | — | $391,490 | 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist | $395,610 | 19 | $386,791 | $496,010 | 60 |
| Pathologist | $322,950 | 12 | $315,751 | $312,400 | — |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | 19 | $281,199 | $281,870 | 270 |
| Judge | $239,760 | 1 | $234,415 | $153,990 | 120 |
| Pediatrician | $218,080 | 19 | $213,219 | $210,040 | 180 |
| HR Manager | $167,110 | 6 | $163,385 | $149,280 | 530 |
| OB-GYN | $166,390 | 40 | $162,681 | $292,910 | 140 |
| Airline Pilot | $164,880 | 23 | $161,205 | $232,140 | 40 |
| Dentist | $161,560 | 37 | $157,959 | $170,950 | 360 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | 13 | $136,811 | $135,880 | 810 |
| Lawyer | $138,960 | 18 | $135,862 | $159,670 | 1,840 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | 13 | $132,939 | $132,300 | 1,180 |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,180 | 15 | $132,167 | $134,040 | 80 |
| Optometrist | $134,520 | 29 | $131,521 | $136,570 | 250 |
| Network Engineer | $131,320 | 23 | $128,393 | $134,050 | 460 |
| Software Engineer | $130,590 | 20 | $127,679 | $135,980 | 5,070 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | 51 | $125,323 | $140,910 | 1,510 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | 25 | $123,749 | $130,100 | 430 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $126,320 | 3 | $123,504 | $72,990 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $126,300 | 25 | $123,485 | $148,080 | 50 |
| School Principal | $119,980 | 15 | $117,305 | $105,870 | 1,160 |
| Computer Engineer | $119,510 | 28 | $116,846 | $161,740 | 390 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $119,260 | 26 | $116,601 | $123,860 | 3,370 |
| Operations Manager | $117,380 | 15 | $114,763 | $105,770 | 9,150 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,230 | 11 | $113,639 | $104,110 | 1,560 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,590 | 24 | $109,102 | $125,040 | 50 |
| Actuary | $111,090 | 27 | $108,614 | $130,000 | 100 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $109,420 | 30 | $106,981 | $129,180 | 710 |
| Psychologist | $107,490 | 15 | $105,094 | $100,580 | 420 |
| UX Designer | $105,990 | 7 | $103,627 | $104,000 | 240 |
| Architect | $105,160 | 6 | $102,816 | $99,280 | 550 |
| MRI Technician | $105,060 | 13 | $102,718 | $95,480 | 140 |
| Project Manager | $104,680 | 13 | $102,346 | $102,320 | 3,880 |
| Lineman | $104,620 | 18 | $102,288 | $95,320 | 120 |
| Crane Operator | $104,340 | 3 | $102,014 | $68,080 | — |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $104,000 | 4 | $101,682 | $74,310 | 260 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $104,000 | 6 | $101,682 | $97,870 | 720 |
| Construction Manager | $103,990 | 37 | $101,672 | $114,990 | 450 |
| Data Scientist | $102,440 | 26 | $100,156 | $120,230 | 1,160 |
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $100,640 | 13 | $98,397 | $97,550 | 10,090 |
| Financial Analyst | $100,550 | 18 | $98,309 | $102,740 | 1,790 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | 21 | $97,810 | $100,330 | 770 |
| Business Analyst | $99,640 | 21 | $97,419 | $101,860 | 4,100 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | 37 | $97,184 | $102,760 | 1,020 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | 23 | $97,086 | $100,840 | 1,270 |
| Commercial Pilot | $98,820 | 43 | $96,617 | $123,220 | 80 |
| Web Developer | $98,140 | 12 | $95,952 | $92,650 | — |
| Accountant | $95,820 | 9 | $93,684 | $83,680 | 6,570 |
| School Psychologist | $94,900 | 14 | $92,785 | $95,990 | 210 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $92,820 | 29 | $90,751 | $96,590 | 380 |
| High School Teacher | $92,610 | 5 | $90,546 | $72,040 | 4,910 |
| Court Reporter | $92,250 | 6 | $90,194 | $72,420 | 60 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $90,930 | 5 | $88,903 | $63,970 | 3,830 |
| Detective | $88,450 | 27 | $86,478 | $93,790 | 360 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | 38 | $84,973 | $98,100 | 770 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,900 | 14 | $84,963 | $82,280 | 260 |
| Claims Adjuster | $86,520 | 8 | $84,591 | $78,000 | 1,150 |
| Radiology Technician | $85,330 | 15 | $83,428 | $80,110 | 660 |
| Chiropractor | $81,840 | 16 | $80,016 | $79,200 | 170 |
| Financial Advisor | $80,200 | 37 | $78,412 | $105,070 | 1,130 |
| LPN | $80,090 | 5 | $78,305 | $64,400 | 1,290 |
| Insurance Agent | $79,930 | 3 | $78,148 | $62,280 | 1,700 |
| Chef | $79,930 | 1 | $78,148 | $62,470 | 740 |
| Graphic Designer | $78,220 | 2 | $76,476 | $62,960 | 750 |
| HR Specialist | $77,560 | 15 | $75,831 | $75,940 | 3,320 |
| Loan Officer | $77,250 | 24 | $75,528 | $76,690 | 1,290 |
| Police Officer | $77,230 | 21 | $75,508 | $76,210 | 1,940 |
| Plumber | $76,470 | 15 | $74,765 | $63,800 | 1,820 |
| Librarian | $75,860 | 17 | $74,169 | $68,270 | 780 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $75,780 | 8 | $74,091 | $62,930 | 1,060 |
| School Counselor | $75,000 | 9 | $73,328 | $64,330 | 1,340 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,960 | 6 | $73,289 | $58,450 | 290 |
| Surgical Technician | $74,130 | 15 | $72,478 | $64,650 | 240 |
| Electrician | $74,090 | 18 | $72,438 | $63,190 | 2,420 |
| TSA Officer | $71,510 | 8 | $69,916 | $66,770 | 160 |
| Nutritionist | $71,300 | 28 | $69,711 | $76,400 | 360 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $70,720 | 39 | $69,144 | $79,870 | 120 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,640 | 17 | $67,110 | $68,380 | 420 |
| Firefighter | $67,380 | 13 | $65,878 | $59,280 | 1,620 |
| HVAC Technician | $67,370 | 14 | $65,868 | $61,010 | 1,450 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $67,270 | 13 | $65,770 | $61,770 | 350 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $65,120 | 7 | $63,668 | $59,350 | 2,170 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $63,960 | 2 | $62,534 | $51,140 | 650 |
| Athletic Trainer | $63,750 | 16 | $62,329 | $62,520 | — |
| Mail Carrier | $63,610 | 2 | $62,192 | $60,550 | 1,220 |
| Paramedic | $63,550 | 18 | $62,133 | $60,600 | 160 |
| IT Support Specialist | $62,510 | 16 | $61,117 | $61,860 | 1,780 |
| Carpenter | $60,840 | 23 | $59,484 | $60,580 | 2,580 |
| Real Estate Agent | $60,310 | 15 | $58,966 | $52,830 | — |
| Truck Driver | $60,190 | 20 | $58,848 | $58,640 | 3,620 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | 46 | $56,805 | $67,190 | 550 |
| Construction Worker | $57,240 | 10 | $55,964 | $47,120 | 2,110 |
| Paralegal | $56,250 | 42 | $54,996 | $62,890 | 2,070 |
| Garbage Collector | $55,970 | 15 | $54,722 | $49,690 | 470 |
| Mortician | $55,420 | 25 | $54,185 | $55,010 | 40 |
| Private Investigator | $54,620 | 16 | $53,402 | $51,220 | 60 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,770 | 22 | $50,616 | $50,620 | 2,530 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $51,460 | 7 | $50,313 | $47,700 | 190 |
| EMT | $51,290 | 5 | $50,147 | $44,470 | 430 |
| Welder | $50,580 | 38 | $49,452 | $53,750 | 2,300 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,150 | 13 | $49,032 | $48,070 | 1,050 |
| Bus Driver | $48,610 | 34 | $47,526 | $59,050 | 70 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,190 | 18 | $46,138 | $45,690 | 3,210 |
| CNA | $46,440 | 13 | $45,405 | $42,260 | 10,220 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | 14 | $45,346 | $45,230 | 970 |
| Personal Trainer | $45,640 | 23 | $44,623 | $47,160 | 990 |
| Substitute Teacher | $45,590 | 10 | $44,574 | $41,670 | 1,910 |
| Vet Tech | $45,310 | 32 | $44,300 | $47,380 | 530 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,380 | 34 | $43,391 | $45,750 | 1,540 |
| Esthetician | $43,880 | 28 | $42,902 | $45,330 | 120 |
| Bartender | $36,410 | 19 | $35,598 | $34,340 | 3,170 |
| Nail Technician | $34,910 | 31 | $34,132 | $35,760 | — |
| Barber | $34,900 | 25 | $34,122 | $38,210 | — |
| Cosmetologist | $31,200 | 39 | $30,504 | $35,790 | 1,470 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.