Lawyers in Rhode Island. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Rhode Island lawyers earned a median of $128,920 in 2024, about 14% below the US median of $149,496. The mean came in higher at $146,240, which tells us a smaller group of high-earning attorneys pulls the average up from the median.
The spread between the bottom and top of the range is wide. Lawyers at the 10th percentile earned $76,850 while those at the 90th earned $216,680. That is a gap of roughly $140,000 across the same occupation in the same state. In practice, that gap reflects differences in practice area, firm size, and seniority more than geography.
Rhode Island's cost-of-living index sits at 100, right at the national baseline. That means the 14% wage gap we see in nominal terms is a real gap as well. A lawyer earning the Rhode Island median buys roughly 14% less than a peer earning the national median, with no COL offset to narrow it.
BLS projects average growth for Lawyers nationally through 2034, at 4.2% over the decade. Rhode Island's relatively small employment base of around 1,910 lawyers means individual hiring decisions at larger firms or state agencies can shift local figures more than the national number would suggest.
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,200 and $200,130, with a median of $138,960.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Rhode Island
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Rhode Island over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$133,000
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Rhode Island is $138,960.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Rhode Island median is -12.8% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $80,710 and the 90th-percentile at $268,270, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.