What the numbers say
About 15,770 Registered Nurses work in the Providence metro, making it one of the larger nursing labor markets in New England. The 2024 median annual wage was $97,220, which sits about 3% below the Rhode Island statewide median of $99,960 but roughly 3% above the national figure of $94,511.
That gap between the metro and state numbers is worth noting. Rhode Island is a small state, and Providence is by far its largest city, so a meaningful difference between the two suggests that wages outside the metro, likely in smaller hospitals and community health settings elsewhere in the state, run a bit higher than what Providence nurses typically earn.
The spread from bottom to top is substantial. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned $72,090 in 2024, while those at the 90th percentile earned $133,310. Top earners made close to twice what those starting out or working in lower-paying settings brought home. That range reflects real differences in specialty, seniority, and employer type across the metro.
The mean wage of $99,520 sits only slightly above the median, which means the overall pay distribution here is fairly balanced. High earners are not pulling the average far above what a typical nurse in Providence makes, which is a different picture from metro areas where a concentration of high-paying specialties pushes the average well past the midpoint.
Salary distribution
Where Providence registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,910 and $109,430, with a median of $99,880.
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.
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Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Providence, Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the Providence metropolitan area is $99,880.
- Does Providence pay more than the Rhode Island state average for Registered Nurses?
- The Providence metro median is -0.8% versus the Rhode Island state median of $100,640.
- How does Providence compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Providence metro median is +1.6% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Providence?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,410 and the 90th-percentile at $135,240 for the Providence metro area.
- 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. BLS metro estimates reflect the Providence CBSA boundary 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.