2026 Salary — Rhode Island
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Rhode Island: $89K Median
Registered Nurses in Rhode Island earn between $66K and $137K per year.
That's +3% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island is $88,652 per year — +3% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $65,632 (entry, 25th percentile) to $136,660 (90th percentile). Rhode Island's cost-of-living index is 110. State income tax applies.
Median
$88,652
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$66,950
Experienced
$108,150
Top 10%
$136,660
About Registered Nurses in Rhode Island
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Rhode Island
Walk-away anchor: $80,593.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Rhode Island
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island is $88,652 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $65,632 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $136,660 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Rhode Island compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Rhode Island earn approximately 3% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $88,652 in Rhode Island). Rhode Island's cost-of-living index of 110 is close to the national average.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Rhode Island increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Rhode Island grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,432 in 2025 to $88,652 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Rhode Island cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Rhode Island has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Rhode Island's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Defense (Naval), and the state's unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Rhode Island have state income tax?
Yes, Rhode Island has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $88,652, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Rhode Island employers.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Rhode Island?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Rhode Island: $80,593.
Methodology
Rhode Island Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Rhode Island's state multiplier (1.03×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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