Highest-paying trades in Rhode Island
22 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Rhode Island, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $50.30 | $104,620 | $60.19 | 120 | 18th of 51 | +26.9% | 10% above |
| 2 | Crane operator | $50.16 | $104,340 | $63.76 | — | 3rd of 50 | — | 53% above |
| 3 | Construction manager | $50.00 | $103,990 | $85.27 | 450 | 37th of 51 | -32.0% | 10% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $47.40 | $98,590 | $63.41 | 2,060 | 7th of 51 | +7.7% | 23% above |
| 5 | Ironworker | $47.27 | $98,320 | $47.27 | 360 | 6th of 50 | +0.4% | 57% above |
| 6 | Brickmason | $38.12 | $79,280 | $53.45 | 220 | 9th of 50 | -4.7% | 28% above |
| 7 | Plumber | $36.77 | $76,470 | $53.06 | 1,820 | 15th of 51 | +15.0% | 20% above |
| 8 | Electrician | $35.62 | $74,090 | $49.44 | 2,420 | 18th of 51 | +5.5% | 17% above |
| 9 | HVAC technician | $32.39 | $67,370 | $50.04 | 1,450 | 14th of 51 | -11.3% | 10% above |
| 10 | Diesel mechanic | $32.34 | $67,270 | $41.07 | 350 | 13th of 51 | +8.4% | 9% above |
| 11 | Sheet metal worker | $31.30 | $65,100 | $39.42 | 370 | 18th of 50 | +9.6% | 5% above |
| 12 | Heavy equipment operator | $30.58 | $63,610 | $47.54 | 970 | 17th of 51 | -10.1% | 6% above |
| 13 | Cement mason | $30.26 | $62,950 | $45.25 | 250 | 11th of 51 | -8.5% | 10% above |
| 14 | Glazier | $29.64 | $61,650 | $47.87 | 150 | 16th of 50 | +11.1% | 8% above |
| 15 | Roofer | $29.63 | $61,630 | $45.07 | 360 | 10th of 51 | +15.1% | 11% above |
| 16 | Carpenter | $29.25 | $60,840 | $43.11 | 2,580 | 23rd of 51 | +2.3% | about the same as |
| 17 | Machinist | $27.77 | $57,760 | $39.61 | 860 | 35th of 51 | +0.1% | 2% below |
| 18 | Construction laborer | $27.52 | $57,240 | $42.61 | 2,110 | 10th of 51 | +10.5% | 21% above |
| 19 | Welder | $24.32 | $50,580 | $38.94 | 2,300 | 38th of 51 | -7.6% | 6% below |
| 20 | Tile setter | $23.64 | $49,170 | $36.00 | — | 27th of 47 | -0.2% | 12% below |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $22.65 | $47,110 | $38.22 | 440 | 40th of 49 | — | 20% below |
| 22 | Painter | $20.00 | $41,590 | $30.96 | 1,160 | 49th of 51 | -18.7% | 16% below |
Construction jobs in Rhode Island
23.0kConstruction jobs2026-08
-2.5%Change over 12 months
+9.0%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Rhode Island
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Rhode Island, 5 of 5 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $80.85/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Rhode Island?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.30 an hour in May 2025, followed by crane and tower operators ($50.16) and construction managers ($50.00).
How does Rhode Island compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 22 trades listed, 16 pay above the national median in Rhode Island and 6 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 102.3% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Rhode Island.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).