RN Salary in Rhode Island: $100,640 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Rhode Island earn a median of $100,640 per year — $48.39 an hour — $3,090 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #13 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Rhode Island RNs earn between $77,410 and $129,840. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Rhode Island RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Rhode Island RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Rhode Island With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Rhode Island side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Rhode Island | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $100,640 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $48.39/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $77,410 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $107,100 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $129,840 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 10,090 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Rhode Island has 9 board-approved nursing programs across 7 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Rhode Island?
RNs in Rhode Island earn a median of $100,640 per year — $48.39 per hour — $3,090 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Rhode Island #13 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Rhode Island?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Rhode Island, the 10th percentile is $77,410 and the 25th percentile is $81,840. Most RNs move toward the $100,640 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Rhode Island earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Rhode Island earn above $129,840 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Rhode Island?
10,090 registered nurses are employed in Rhode Island per the BLS May 2025 estimates.