Plumber Salary in Rhode Island: $81,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $81,186/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,782 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($81,439), Providence ($79,820), Pawtucket ($64,049).
The average median salary for plumbers in Rhode Island is projected to be $81,187 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, reflecting a 24.1% increase. This disparity highlights the demand for plumbing services within the state. Warwick is the highest paying city for plumbers, offering an average salary of $83,491, while Central Falls has the lowest at $60,651, resulting in a salary gap of $22,840. Factors contributing to this difference include local cost of living, demand for plumbing services, and competition in the labor market. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements that plumbers must meet, including passing exams and acquiring practical experience. These regulations ensure a high standard of work, which can drive salaries upwards as qualified plumbers may command higher wages. The demand for plumbing services is typically influenced by factors such as construction growth, infrastructure maintenance, and residential needs. The job market for plumbers in Rhode Island appears stable, with a projected growth rate of 2.52% annually. With a total employment of 3,129 plumbers across 17 metro areas, the outlook for this profession remains positive as the need for skilled trades continues to rise.
Rhode Island Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $43,997 (lowest entry-level) to $129,411 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island plumbers earn 24.12% more than the national median (+$15,778/year difference).
Rhode Island Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Rhode Island range from $50,691 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $113,109 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,186. The Rhode Island median is $15,778 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $39.03/hr. Approximately 3,129 plumbers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,410
2025 BLS Actual
$79,191
2026 Current Est.
$81,186
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,812 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 51.1% from $52,410 (2019) to $79,191 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,822 (58.81%) 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 2.52% 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $60,651 |
| Westerly | $61,388 |
| Bristol | $62,229 |
| South Kingstown | $62,398 |
| Cumberland | $62,562 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $83,491 | 100.5 | $83,076 |
| Providence | $81,831 | 101.773 | $80,405 |
| Pawtucket | $65,663 | 100.5 | $65,336 |
| East Providence | $65,158 | 100.5 | $64,834 |
| West Warwick | $64,984 | 100.5 | $64,661 |
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) | $50,691 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,186 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $113,109 |
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 | Warwick | $83,491 |
| 2 | Providence | $81,831 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $65,663 |
| 4 | East Providence | $65,158 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $64,984 |
| 6 | Coventry | $64,679 |
| 7 | Cranston | $64,300 |
| 8 | Johnston | $63,567 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $63,541 |
| 10 | Newport | $63,194 |
| 11 | North Providence | $63,066 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $63,046 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $62,562 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $62,398 |
| 15 | Bristol | $62,229 |
| 16 | Westerly | $61,388 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $60,651 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Rhode Island?
How many plumbers are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for plumbers?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
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 2.52% 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 plumber compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute 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, 7-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 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov