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2024 Data

Registered Nurse Salary in Providence, RI: $92,283 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $44.37/hour | $58,441 - $135,685 range

Median Annual Salary

$92,283

1.4% vs national

Hourly Rate

$44.37

/hour

Jobs in Area

2,407

employed

Salary Range$58,441 - $135,685
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Providence, RI

$92,283

San Jose, CA

$130,316

$38,033 more (+41.2%)

in San Jose, CA

Registered Nurse Salary Range in Providence, RI

Annual Salary Range

$92k

$58k

10th percentile

$76k

25th

$109k

75th

$136k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$58,441$28.10
25th Percentile$75,625$36.36
Median (50th Percentile)$92,283$44.37
75th Percentile$109,002$52.40
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$135,685$65.23
Average (Mean)$98,341$47.28

Registered Nurse Market Insights for Providence, RI

Compensation Overview

Registered Nurse compensation in Providence, RI aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $58,441 to $135,685 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Providence, RI offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Rhode Island economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Registered Nurse profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 132% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 47% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-1%

vs National Avg

-5%

vs State Avg

132%

Salary Range

2,407

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Registered Nurse salary growth in Providence, RI based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$58,441

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$75,625

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$92,283

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$109,002

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$135,685

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Registered Nurse:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Registered Nurse Job Market in Providence, RI

Where Registered Nurses Work

Registered Nurses work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

The Providence, RI area maintains a healthy employment base for this occupation, with opportunities distributed across multiple employers. This provides job stability and career mobility without the intense competition found in major metros.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Providence, RI

  • Research major employers in the Providence-Warwick area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Rhode Island
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Providence, RI market rate of $92,283
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $58,441 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median registered nurse salary in Providence, RI is $92,283 per year ($44.37/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $58,441 for entry-level positions to $135,685 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level registered nurses in Providence, RI typically start at around $58,441 per year ($28.10/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $92,283 within 3-5 years.

Registered Nurses in Providence, RI earn a median hourly wage of $44.37 per hour. Hourly rates range from $28.10/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $65.23/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $58,441 and $135,685.

The median registered nurse salary of $92,283 in Providence, RI is slightly below the national median of $93,600 (1.4% lower). This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of registered nurses in the area earn more and half earn less.

Registered Nurses in Providence, RI earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $92,283 is 1.4% lower than the national median of $93,600. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $87,224.

The top 10% of registered nurses in Providence, RI earn $135,685 or more per year ($65.23/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $109,002, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost registered nurse salary in Providence, RI include: Clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Compassion and emotional resilience, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $92,283, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($109,002) or higher. Nursing specialty (ICU, emergency, oncology tend to pay more)

Providence, RI has a healthy job market for registered nurses, with approximately 2,407 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $92,283 is slightly below the national average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your registered nurse salary to these Providence, RI benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $58,441, 25th percentile: $75,625, 50th percentile (median): $92,283, 75th percentile: $109,002, 90th percentile (top earners): $135,685. If you earn more than $92,283, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $92,283 median base salary, registered nurses in Providence, RI typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced registered nurses with 5-10 years in Providence, RI typically earn $109,002 (75th percentile) to $135,685 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $135,685. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $92,283.

Registered Nurses in Providence, RI can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($58,441) to median ($92,283) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($135,685) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $77,244 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Providence-Warwick

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-1141

SOC Classification

Sample Size

2,407

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Registered Nurse in Providence, RI

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Median: $92,283/yr

How Providence, RI Compares

vs National Average

$93,600

-1.4%

vs Rhode Island Average

$97,427

-5.3%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$87,224

-5.5%

Cost of living in Providence, RI is 5.8% above the national average.

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