Registered Nurse Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$100,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#13 of 51
10,090 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Rhode Island?

A Registered Nurse working in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $100,640 per year, or about $48.38 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $77,410 while the top 10% make $129,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,840 and $107,100 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$77,410$37.22
25th percentile (early career)$81,840$39.35
50th percentile (median)$100,640$48.38
75th percentile (experienced)$107,100$51.49
90th percentile (top earners)$129,840$62.42

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in Rhode Island

Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Rhode Island pay ($100,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Rhode Island?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island is $100,640 per year, or about $48.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,410 at the entry level to $129,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Registered Nurses about 3% more than the national median of $97,550. Rhode Island ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Registered Nurses?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,640 a year. About 10,090 Registered Nurses are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Registered Nurse salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.