Careers in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s regional price level is above the national average (index 102.28, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 3.6% · Labor force participation: 62.7% · 561,222 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Emergency Medicine Physicians$512,730
- 2Family Medicine Physicians$467,160
- 3Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$450,370
- 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$414,060
- 5Cardiologists$395,610
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Fast Food and Counter Workers13,310 employed
- 2Retail Salespersons12,830 employed
- 3Nursing Assistants10,220 employed
- 4Waiters and Waitresses10,160 employed
- 5Registered Nurses10,090 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Mathematicians14.58× national avg
- 2Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders12.34× national avg
- 3Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers7.52× national avg
- 4Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric6.18× national avg
- 5Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders5.88× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Emergency Medicine Physicians$501,300
- 2Family Medicine Physicians$456,746
- 3Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$440,330
- 4Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$404,830
- 5Cardiologists$386,791
Strongest Opportunity Score
See full list →- 1Automotive Body and Related Repairers87.4 / 100
- 2Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other87.4 / 100
- 3Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders86.9 / 100
- 4Funeral Home Managers86.7 / 100
- 5Funeral Attendants86.7 / 100
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.