Social Worker Salary in Rhode Island
Based on 800+ workers in Rhode Island
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$60,990
$29.32/hr
vs National Average
$57,161
+6.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$43K – $135K
800 employed in Rhode Island
Salary Distribution — Social Worker in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,900 |
| 25th percentile | $49,340 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $60,990 |
| 75th percentile | $110,210 |
| 90th percentile | $135,200 |
Top-Paying Industries for Social Worker (U.S.)
Which industries pay Social Workers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Social Workers in Rhode Island tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $94,250 | 550 |
| Educational Services | $72,880 | 2K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $68,600 | 20K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $65,990 | 2K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,270 | 104K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Social Worker in Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $62,460 |
| 2023 | $66,000 |
| 2024 | $60,490 |
| 2025 | $60,990 |
| 2026 (projected) | $61,494 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $62,460 | $50,498 |
| 2023 | $66,000 | $53,608 |
| 2024 | $60,490 | $56,931 |
| 2025 | $60,990 | $57,161 |
| 2026 (projected) | $61,494 | $57,633 |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $49,340 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $60,990 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $110,210 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $135,200 |
Social Worker Salary in Other States
Related Social Worker Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Social Worker ($60,990 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Social Worker | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physician in RI | $512,730 | +740.7% | $246.50/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in RI | $467,160 | +666.0% | $224.60/hr |
| Cardiologist in RI | $395,610 | +548.6% | $190.20/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in RI | $379,490 | +522.2% | $182.45/hr |
| Psychiatrist in RI | $287,610 | +371.6% | $138.27/hr |
| Pediatrician in RI | $218,080 | +257.6% | $104.85/hr |
| Surgeon in RI | $199,990 | +227.9% | $96.15/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in RI | $166,390 | +172.8% | $80.00/hr |
| Dentist in RI | $161,560 | +164.9% | $77.67/hr |
| Podiatrist in RI | $159,760 | +161.9% | $76.81/hr |
| Physician Assistant in RI | $139,930 | +129.4% | $67.27/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in RI | $135,970 | +122.9% | $65.37/hr |