Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Rhode Island 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Rhode Island registered nurses earn an average of $82,500 per year in 2026. Despite being the smallest US state, Rhode Island's dense urban core, academic medical infrastructure, and proximity to the Boston-Providence healthcare corridor drive wages well above the national median.
Rhode Island RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | $86,000 | $41.35 |
| Warwick | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Pawtucket | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Woonsocket | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Newport | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Westerly | $79,500 | $38.22 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Rhode Island
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $224,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $96,000 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $93,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $91,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $87,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $81,000 |
Top Employers in Rhode Island
- Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital / Miriam Hospital) — Providence; largest health system in RI; Level I trauma at Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University affiliation
- Care New England (Women & Infants / Kent / Butler) — Providence; strong women's health and psychiatric nursing programs
- CharterCARE Health Partners — Providence; Roger Williams Medical Center; trauma and cardiac care
- South County Health — Wakefield; coastal southern RI community hospital
- Newport Hospital (Lifespan) — Newport; historic hospital serving Aquidneck Island
NLC Compact Status
Rhode Island is a full NLC compact member. RNs with a Rhode Island multistate license may practice in any compact state. Rhode Island nurses working near the Massachusetts border should note that Massachusetts is not an NLC member and requires a separate MA license.
Rhode Island RN Market Outlook
Rhode Island's healthcare sector is dominated by two large health systems (Lifespan and Care New England), giving employers significant market power over wages. Travel RN rates in Providence run $1,750–$2,200/week. Brown University's medical school affiliation drives academic nursing research opportunities at Lifespan.
Related: RN Salary Connecticut 2026, RN Salary Massachusetts 2026, Rhode Island RN License Guide.
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