Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
63 Highest Paying Jobs in Rhode Island (2026)
The highest-paying job in Rhode Island is Family Medicine Physician with a state-aggregated median salary of $438,290 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 63 occupations the average median is $113,545, with 35 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Rhode Island's average cost-of-living index is 119, so the average median equates to $95,416 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 63 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Rhode Island — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Rhode Island's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Rhode Island to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Rhode Island
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Rhode Island's single tracked metro.
State median $438,290 · 310 jobs · top metro: Providence ($438,290)
Family Medicine Physicians in Rhode Island earn $438,290 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $438,290 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $227,120 · 160 jobs · top metro: Providence ($227,120)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Rhode Island earn $227,120 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $227,120 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $218,080 · 280 jobs · top metro: Providence ($218,080)
Pediatricians in Rhode Island earn $218,080 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $218,080 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $172,310 · 580 jobs · top metro: Providence ($172,310)
Dentists in Rhode Island earn $172,310 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $172,310 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $171,220 · 1,600 jobs · top metro: Providence ($171,220)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Rhode Island earn $171,220 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $171,220 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $167,570 · 3,280 jobs · top metro: Providence ($167,570)
Financial Managers in Rhode Island earn $167,570 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $167,570 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $163,290 · 730 jobs · top metro: Providence ($163,290)
Human Resources Managers in Rhode Island earn $163,290 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $163,290 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $148,880 · 1,770 jobs · top metro: Providence ($148,880)
Sales Managers in Rhode Island earn $148,880 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $148,880 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $139,930 · 950 jobs · top metro: Providence ($139,930)
Physician Assistants in Rhode Island earn $139,930 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $139,930 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $139,910 · 310 jobs · top metro: Providence ($139,910)
Optometrists in Rhode Island earn $139,910 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Providence) pays $139,910 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 63 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $438,290 | Providence | $438,290 | 310 |
| 2 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $227,120 | Providence | $227,120 | 160 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $218,080 | Providence | $218,080 | 280 |
| 4 | Dentist | Healthcare | $172,310 | Providence | $172,310 | 580 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $171,220 | Providence | $171,220 | 1,600 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $167,570 | Providence | $167,570 | 3,280 |
| 7 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $163,290 | Providence | $163,290 | 730 |
| 8 | Sales Manager | Management | $148,880 | Providence | $148,880 | 1,770 |
| 9 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $139,930 | Providence | $139,930 | 950 |
| 10 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $139,910 | Providence | $139,910 | 310 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $135,520 | Providence | $135,520 | 1,540 |
| 12 | Lawyer | Legal | $133,000 | Providence | $133,000 | 2,380 |
| 13 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $131,320 | Providence | $131,320 | 520 |
| 14 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $130,840 | Providence | $130,840 | 1,880 |
| 15 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,690 | Providence | $130,690 | 5,020 |
| 16 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $129,390 | Providence | $129,390 | 520 |
| 17 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $128,580 | Providence | $128,580 | 2,050 |
| 18 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $123,390 | Providence | $123,390 | 510 |
| 19 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $119,260 | Providence | $119,260 | 4,150 |
| 20 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $114,710 | Providence | $114,710 | 830 |
| 21 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $111,360 | Providence | $111,360 | 1,750 |
| 22 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $110,520 | Providence | $110,520 | 430 |
| 23 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $110,360 | Providence | $110,360 | 14,110 |
| 24 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $109,940 | Providence | $109,940 | 710 |
| 25 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $106,290 | Providence | $106,290 | 1,570 |
| 26 | Architect | Engineering | $105,300 | Providence | $105,300 | 690 |
| 27 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $104,570 | Providence | $104,570 | 490 |
| 28 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,750 | Providence | $102,750 | 440 |
| 29 | Data Scientist | Technology | $102,440 | Providence | $102,440 | 1,170 |
| 30 | Database Architect | Technology | $102,310 | Providence | $102,310 | 320 |
| 31 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $101,610 | Providence | $101,610 | 910 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $101,450 | Providence | $101,450 | 1,370 |
| 33 | Management Analyst | Management | $100,360 | Providence | $100,360 | 4,060 |
| 34 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $100,290 | Providence | $100,290 | 1,440 |
| 35 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $100,290 | Providence | $100,290 | 1,950 |
| 36 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $99,880 | Providence | $99,880 | 15,180 |
| 37 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $99,720 | Providence | $99,720 | 1,090 |
| 38 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $99,310 | Providence | $99,310 | 1,550 |
| 39 | Web Designer | Technology | $98,140 | Providence | $98,140 | 410 |
| 40 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $98,000 | Providence | $98,000 | 1,130 |
| 41 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $97,720 | Providence | $97,720 | 310 |
| 42 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $97,300 | Providence | $97,300 | 290 |
| 43 | Accountant | Finance | $95,020 | Providence | $95,020 | 8,250 |
| 44 | Statistician | Technology | $94,490 | Providence | $94,490 | 60 |
| 45 | Web Developer | Technology | $93,020 | Providence | $93,020 | 290 |
| 46 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $92,110 | Providence | $92,110 | 6,770 |
| 47 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $89,310 | Providence | $89,310 | 1,250 |
| 48 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $86,720 | Providence | $86,720 | 6,280 |
| 49 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $83,960 | Providence | $83,960 | 4,080 |
| 50 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $83,720 | Providence | $83,720 | 1,200 |
| 51 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $82,560 | Providence | $82,560 | 670 |
| 52 | Plumber | Trades | $79,820 | Providence | $79,820 | 3,000 |
| 53 | Loan Officer | Finance | $78,500 | Providence | $78,500 | 1,460 |
| 54 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $77,900 | Providence | $77,900 | 400 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $77,210 | Providence | $77,210 | 1,250 |
| 56 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $76,960 | Providence | $76,960 | 1,410 |
| 57 | Electrician | Trades | $73,980 | Providence | $73,980 | 3,560 |
| 58 | Writer/Author | Creative | $70,620 | Providence | $70,620 | 120 |
| 59 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $70,450 | Providence | $70,450 | 970 |
| 60 | Carpenter | Trades | $61,910 | Providence | $61,910 | 4,140 |
| 61 | Paralegal | Legal | $57,100 | Providence | $57,100 | 2,420 |
| 62 | Welder | Trades | $52,800 | Providence | $52,800 | 2,490 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $51,970 | Providence | $51,970 | 3,700 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
$Rhode Island tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $134,510 workers across the $63 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Family Medicine Physician top spot reflects Providence pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Rhode Island typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Rhode Island, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Rhode Island is Family Medicine Physician with a state median salary of $438,290. The top-paying metro for this role is Providence at $438,290 median. The role employs roughly 310 workers across Rhode Island.
35 of the 63 BLS-tracked occupations in Rhode Island have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 63 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Rhode Island is $113,545. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $95,416.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Rhode Island, this page aggregates Providence. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Rhode Island.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Rhode Island, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.