Registered Nurses in Rhode Island. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of $99,960 in 2024, about 5.8% above the US median of $94,511. The gap is real but modest compared to what some other northeastern states show. The mean came in at $99,770, nearly identical to the median, which tells us pay is unusually even across the workforce here. Senior nurses do not pull the average far above what a typical nurse earns.
The spread from bottom to top is worth noting. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned $72,090, while those at the 90th earned $128,520. Top earners make roughly 1.8 times what entry-level peers make. That is a relatively narrow range for a healthcare occupation, suggesting less variation by specialty or seniority than you see in states with larger academic medical center concentrations.
Rhode Island's cost-of-living index sits at 100 in this dataset, right at the national baseline. That means the nominal premium over the US median translates directly into real purchasing power. A nurse earning the state median here buys roughly the same as one earning $94,511 in an average-cost US location, and a bit more overall.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the average outlook category. That is slower than the faster-than-average pace nursing posted in some prior projection cycles, but still positive. With about 10,760 Registered Nurses currently employed in Rhode Island, even average growth represents several hundred additional positions over the decade.
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,840 and $107,100, with a median of $100,640.
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Registered Nurses 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
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$99,880
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island is $100,640.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Rhode Island median is +2.3% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,410 and the 90th-percentile at $129,840, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's 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.