What skilled trades pay in Rhode Island, where the jobs are and how work is changing, from 39 public government sources. The best-paying trade here is electrical lineworker at a $104,620 median. For every trade and metro, start from the Rhode Island pay page.
How Rhode Island compares
27 of the 34 trades we track in Rhode Island pay more than in a typical U.S. metro. The biggest premiums are for telecom line installer (+57%), ironworker (+54%) and auto body repairer (+40%), and the biggest gaps for painter (-13%) and drywall installer (-13%). Prices in Rhode Island's metros run about 2% above the U.S. average, and a typical 1-bedroom rents for $1,529 a month (U.S. metros: $1,097).
Best-paying trades in Rhode Island
Statewide median pay, BLS May 2025. The lowest-paying trade we track here is painter at $41,590.
Every trade in Rhode Island
| Trade | Median pay | vs. U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $104,620 | +8% | 120 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $103,810 | +57% | 490 |
| Construction Supervisor | $98,590 | +28% | 2,060 |
| Ironworker | $98,320 | +54% | 360 |
| Brickmason | $79,280 | +26% | 220 |
| Building Inspector | $77,420 | +15% | 270 |
| Plumber | $76,470 | +24% | 1,820 |
| Electrician | $74,090 | +19% | 2,420 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $72,490 | +40% | 800 |
| HVAC Technician | $67,370 | +13% | 1,450 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $67,270 | +11% | 350 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $66,960 | +8% | 150 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $65,100 | +6% | 370 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,770 | +1% | 1,070 |
| Rigger | $64,260 | +6% | 160 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $63,610 | +7% | 970 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $63,060 | +26% | 160 |
| Concrete Finisher | $62,950 | +10% | 250 |
| Glazier | $61,650 | +12% | 150 |
| Roofer | $61,630 | +23% | 360 |
| Carpenter | $60,840 | +8% | 2,580 |
| Machinist | $57,760 | +1% | 860 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,240 | +22% | 2,110 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,770 | +6% | 2,530 |
| Maintenance Technician | $50,900 | +5% | 4,500 |
| Welder | $50,580 | -3% | 2,300 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $50,170 | -1% | 60 |
| Drywall Installer | $47,110 | -13% | 440 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $46,670 | -3% | 330 |
| Pest Control Technician | $45,030 | +1% | 270 |
| Landscaper | $44,730 | +19% | 4,040 |
| Painter | $41,590 | -13% | 1,160 |
Statewide medians and jobs, BLS OEWS May 2025. “vs. U.S.” compares with the typical U.S. metro median for the trade.
Where the jobs are
- Maintenance Technician: 4,500 jobs
- Landscaper: 4,040 jobs
- Carpenter: 2,580 jobs
- Auto Mechanic: 2,530 jobs
- Electrician: 2,420 jobs
Unions
16.1% of Rhode Island workers belong to a union (17.5% are covered by a union contract), compared with about 10% nationally (all jobs, 2025).
Apprenticeships
Registered apprentices in Rhode Island who finished or left a program in FY2020–2024 completed most often in heavy equipment operator (84%), HVAC technician (68%) and plumber (65%).
Wages and safety
Unpaid wages recovered
Since 2018, the U.S. Labor Department has concluded 37 wage cases against construction employers in Rhode Island, recovering $332,195 in back wages for 309 workers.
DOL Wage and Hour Division enforcement data, cases concluded 2018–2024. Counts only; employers aren't named here.
Safety inspections
In 2025, federal OSHA opened 159 inspections of construction worksites in the state. About 55% were set off by a complaint, a referral or an accident (2 after an accident or fatality); the rest were planned spot checks.
OSHA inspection data via the U.S. Department of Labor, construction (NAICS 23), inspections opened in 2025. Counts only.
Storm and disaster rebuild work
Since 2016, the Rhode Island metros with the most federal major disasters are Providence (7) (FEMA).
Veterans
Veterans: train on the job with the GI Bill
In Rhode Island, 95 employers and programs are approved for GI Bill on-the-job training and apprenticeships, across all fields. Veterans in an approved trade apprenticeship can get a monthly housing allowance on top of apprentice pay. Search approved employers with the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill Comparison Tool data, October 2026.
Common questions
What is the highest-paying skilled trade in Rhode Island?
Electrical Lineworker pays the most of the trades we track, with a $104,620 statewide median (BLS, May 2025), followed by telecom line installer and construction supervisor.
Which trade has the most jobs in Rhode Island?
maintenance technicians, with about 4,500 jobs statewide, followed by landscapers and carpenters.
Part of the State of Trade Pay 2026 report. Cite as “PayByTrade, State of Trade Pay in Rhode Island 2026, payby.trade/report/ri/.”