Paralegal Salary in Rhode Island: $59,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $59,303/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $59,008 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($63,135), East Providence ($62,649), West Warwick ($62,483).
In 2026, paralegal salaries in Rhode Island are projected to average $59,303, which is about 8.9% lower than the national median of $65,097. The salary range between cities indicates significant disparities, with Pawtucket being the highest at $65,351 and Providence the lowest at $59,104—a difference of $6,247. This gap can be attributed to factors such as local demand for legal services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of law firms and businesses that employ paralegals. Rhode Island's paralegals operate under specific state licensing requirements and practice laws that may affect their roles and responsibilities. While the overall job market for paralegals indicates a steady outlook, the projected annual growth rate in the field stands at 3.51% based on recent BLS data. Employment across the state is estimated at 2,549 paralegals, with the top metropolitan areas for job prospects including Pawtucket, East Providence at $64,848, West Warwick at $64,676, Coventry at $64,371, and Cranston at $63,994. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those considering a career as a paralegal in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $42,417 (lowest entry-level) to $101,294 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island paralegals earn 8.9% less than the national median ($-5,794/year difference).
Rhode Island Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Rhode Island range from $44,965 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,385 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,303. The Rhode Island median is $5,794 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $28.51/hr. Approximately 2,549 paralegals are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,260
2025 BLS Actual
$57,292
2026 Current Est.
$59,303
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,292 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.2% from $47,260 (2019) to $57,292 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,125 (29.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $59,104 |
| Warwick | $60,303 |
| Central Falls | $60,363 |
| Westerly | $61,096 |
| Bristol | $61,932 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $65,351 | 100.5 | $65,026 |
| East Providence | $64,848 | 100.5 | $64,525 |
| West Warwick | $64,676 | 100.5 | $64,354 |
| Coventry | $64,371 | 100.5 | $64,051 |
| Cranston | $63,994 | 100.5 | $63,676 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,965 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,303 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,385 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pawtucket | $65,351 |
| 2 | East Providence | $64,848 |
| 3 | West Warwick | $64,676 |
| 4 | Coventry | $64,371 |
| 5 | Cranston | $63,994 |
| 6 | Johnston | $63,264 |
| 7 | Woonsocket | $63,239 |
| 8 | Newport | $62,894 |
| 9 | North Providence | $62,766 |
| 10 | North Kingstown | $62,747 |
| 11 | Cumberland | $62,264 |
| 12 | South Kingstown | $62,102 |
| 13 | Bristol | $61,932 |
| 14 | Westerly | $61,096 |
| 15 | Central Falls | $60,363 |
| 16 | Warwick | $60,303 |
| 17 | Providence | $59,104 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore paralegal hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Rhode Island?
How many paralegals are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for paralegals?
Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov