verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Rhode Island

Median Annual in Rhode Island
$138,960/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$66.81/hr
▼ 13% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Rhode Island

groups Employed in RI
1,840
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$135,862 #24 of 51

Lawyer pay in Rhode Island, explained

Lawyers in Rhode Island earn a median of $138,960 per year ($66.81 per hour), which is 13% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $80,710, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $268,270. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Rhode Island.

Is $138,960 good pay in Rhode Island?

Adjusted for Rhode Island's cost of living (which runs 102% of the U.S. average), that $138,960 is worth about $135,862 in national buying power — ranking Rhode Island #24 for real pay (vs #18 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Rhode Island

Entry level (10th pct)
$80,710
$38.80/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$138,960
$66.81/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$268,270
$128.98/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs RI
Rhode Island (here) $138,960 $135,862
Massachusetts $176,680 $167,062 −$37,720
Connecticut $163,600 $157,900 −$24,640

Lawyer in Rhode Island: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Rhode Island?

Lawyers in Rhode Island earn a median of $138,960 per year ($66.81 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Rhode Island pay lawyers well?

At $138,960, Rhode Island pays 13% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 1,840 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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