Nursing Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Nursing Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $46,440 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,950 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $42,260. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 20 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,360, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Median | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Average (mean) | $46,360 | $22.29 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.15 |
| Weekly | $893.08 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,330 | 13,030 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Orderly | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,790 | $16.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Rhode Island?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Rhode Island is $46,440 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $54,950 a year. The top 25% earn $47,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $44,760 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 10,220 nursing assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.