Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Rhode Island employs roughly 39,000 workers in manufacturing alone, part of a broader labor force of 563,000 across healthcare, finance and services.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED RINA).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing employment (thousands) | 39 | 12900 |
- •Rhode Island still supports 39,000 manufacturing jobs, a legacy of its historic industrial base.
Unemployment
Rhode Island's unemployment rate stood at 4.6% in 2024, slightly above the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED RIUR).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.6 | 4 |
- •Rhode Island's 4.6% unemployment rate in 2024 was among the higher rates in the Northeast.
Labor Force
Rhode Island's labor force totals approximately 563,000 workers, with a labor force participation rate of 63.8%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED RILF).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (thousands) | 563 | 167900 |
- •Rhode Island's labor force participation rate of 63.8% trails the national average, partly due to its older population.
Occupations
Healthcare, education, defense-related manufacturing, and finance/insurance dominate Rhode Island's occupational landscape.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare sector dominance (qualitative) | 1 | 1 |
- •Rhode Island's occupational mix is shaped strongly by its large hospital systems and university employers.
Salaries
The average annual salary in Rhode Island is $52,400, supported by strong healthcare, finance, and education employment.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU44000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU44000000500000003).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary ($) | 52400 | 65470 |
- •Rhode Island's average salary of $52,400 is bolstered by its concentration of hospital and university employers.
Remote Work
Approximately 17.8% of Rhode Island workers telecommute, a rate reflecting the state's mix of urban office jobs and healthcare roles.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 17.8 | 17.9 |
- •Rhode Island's 17.8% remote work share is shaped by its mix of Providence-based office jobs and hands-on healthcare employment.
Workforce Participation
Rhode Island's labor force participation rate is 63.8%, reflecting its relatively older population compared to the U.S. average.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA44).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate (%) | 63.8 | 62.5 |
- •Rhode Island's 19% population share aged 65+ helps explain its below-average workforce participation rate.