Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rhode Island: $82,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $82,776/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,364 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($80,592), Providence ($78,990), Pawtucket ($64,651).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Rhode Island is projected to be $82,776, which is 21.6% higher than the national median of $68,071. The highest salaries are found in Warwick, at $85,186, while Central Falls has the lowest at $63,121, reflecting a gap of $22,065. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and potentially the availability of specialized training programs in more affluent areas. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence LPN responsibilities. The state's healthcare landscape, shaped by its aging population and ongoing healthcare reforms, is contributing to a steady demand for LPNs, with a projected growth rate of 5.70% annually. This demand is evident across metropolitan areas, with Providence offering a promising salary of $83,492, followed by Pawtucket at $68,336, East Providence at $67,811, and West Warwick at $67,630. Overall, the job market for LPNs in Rhode Island presents a favorable outlook for aspiring nurses, driven by a growing need for healthcare professionals and competitive wages that surpass national averages.
Rhode Island Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $51,280 (lowest entry-level) to $110,691 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island licensed practical nurses earn 21.60% more than the national median (+$14,705/year difference).
Rhode Island Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Rhode Island range from $66,025 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,307 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $82,776. The Rhode Island median is $14,705 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $39.80/hr. Approximately 2,669 licensed practical nurses are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,870
2025 BLS Actual
$78,312
2026 Current Est.
$82,776
2019–2027 Growth
+51.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,312 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,494 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.3% from $57,870 (2019) to $78,312 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,494 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,624 (51.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $63,121 |
| Westerly | $63,887 |
| Bristol | $64,761 |
| South Kingstown | $64,939 |
| Cumberland | $65,109 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $85,186 | 100.5 | $84,762 |
| Providence | $83,492 | 101.773 | $82,037 |
| Pawtucket | $68,336 | 100.5 | $67,996 |
| East Providence | $67,811 | 100.5 | $67,474 |
| West Warwick | $67,630 | 100.5 | $67,294 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,025 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $82,776 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,307 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $85,186 |
| 2 | Providence | $83,492 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $68,336 |
| 4 | East Providence | $67,811 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $67,630 |
| 6 | Coventry | $67,312 |
| 7 | Cranston | $66,917 |
| 8 | Johnston | $66,154 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $66,128 |
| 10 | Newport | $65,767 |
| 11 | North Providence | $65,634 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $65,613 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $65,109 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $64,939 |
| 15 | Bristol | $64,761 |
| 16 | Westerly | $63,887 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $63,121 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Rhode Island?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov