Electrical Engineer Salary in Rhode Island: $119,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $119,282/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $118,689 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($121,101), East Providence ($120,169), West Warwick ($119,849).
In Rhode Island, the projected average median salary for electrical engineers in 2026 is $119,282, which is 4.6% lower than the national median of $125,033. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Pawtucket offering the highest average at $125,521, while Central Falls has the lowest at $115,941. This $9,580 gap can be attributed to factors such as local demand for specific engineering specialties, the presence of industries, and regional living costs. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements and regulations that all engineers must adhere to, influencing the scope of practice within the state. The demand for electrical engineers is driven by ongoing advancements in technology and infrastructure projects, contributing to an annual growth rate of 3.65% for the field. The overall job market for electrical engineers in Rhode Island remains stable, with a total of 959 engineers employed across 17 metro areas. Key cities with projected salaries include East Providence at $124,555, West Warwick at $124,223, Coventry at $123,639, and Cranston at $122,913. As you consider your career path, take note of these figures and the state-specific dynamics that can impact your future in this field.
Rhode Island Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $76,010 (lowest entry-level) to $205,175 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island electrical engineers earn 4.6% less than the national median ($-5,751/year difference).
Rhode Island Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Rhode Island range from $80,720 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $202,143 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $119,282. The Rhode Island median is $5,751 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $57.35/hr. Approximately 959 electrical engineers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$99,220
2025 BLS Actual
$115,082
2026 Current Est.
$119,282
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,636 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 16.0% from $99,220 (2019) to $115,082 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,636 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,416 (24.61%) 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 3.65% 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 | $115,941 |
| Westerly | $117,348 |
| Providence | $118,897 |
| Bristol | $118,955 |
| South Kingstown | $119,279 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $125,521 | 100.5 | $124,897 |
| East Providence | $124,555 | 100.5 | $123,935 |
| West Warwick | $124,223 | 100.5 | $123,605 |
| Coventry | $123,639 | 100.5 | $123,024 |
| Cranston | $122,913 | 100.5 | $122,301 |
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) | $80,720 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $119,282 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $202,143 |
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 | $125,521 |
| 2 | East Providence | $124,555 |
| 3 | West Warwick | $124,223 |
| 4 | Coventry | $123,639 |
| 5 | Cranston | $122,913 |
| 6 | Johnston | $121,513 |
| 7 | Woonsocket | $121,464 |
| 8 | Warwick | $121,308 |
| 9 | Newport | $120,801 |
| 10 | North Providence | $120,557 |
| 11 | North Kingstown | $120,518 |
| 12 | Cumberland | $119,592 |
| 13 | South Kingstown | $119,279 |
| 14 | Bristol | $118,955 |
| 15 | Providence | $118,897 |
| 16 | Westerly | $117,348 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $115,941 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new electrical engineers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Rhode Island?
How many electrical engineers are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
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 3.65% 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 electrical engineer compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute 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 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov