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Rhode Island Economy

Unemployment was 3.6% in Sep 2026, the 23rd lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $70,622 per person.

Unemployment rate
3.6%
-0.7 pts in a year
Labor force
577,034
-2.7% in a year
Income per person
$70,622
BEA, 2024
Average annual pay
$71,123
QCEW, 2025

Unemployment rate in Rhode Island

Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.

Rhode IslandUnited States
Show as a table
PeriodRhode Island
Sep 20263.6%
Dec 20254.4%
Dec 20244.5%
Dec 20233.7%
Dec 20223.0%
Dec 20213.7%
Dec 20207.0%
Dec 20193.4%
Dec 20183.8%
Dec 20174.5%
Dec 20164.7%
Dec 20155.6%
Dec 20146.7%
Dec 20139.1%
Dec 20129.6%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics ยท Last updated 09/01/2026

Counties in Rhode Island

Unemployment (Aug 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.

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#CountyUnemployment1 yearLabor forceIncome per personAverage pay
1Providence County4.2%-0.9 pts349,634$61,040$71,755
2Kent County3.3%-0.9 pts93,698$75,126$65,511
3Washington County2.9%-0.5 pts67,794$87,451$65,480
4Newport County2.9%-0.6 pts41,673$95,033$70,723
5Bristol County2.9%-0.6 pts26,256$99,923$64,819

Metro areas in Rhode Island

Unemployment rate and labor force, not seasonally adjusted

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Metro areaUnemployment1 yearLabor force
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA4.2%-0.6 pts892,934

Jobs and pay by industry in Rhode Island

Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)

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IndustryJobs1-year changeAverage pay
Health care and social assistance86,132+2.0%$64,816
Accommodation and food services52,338+0.8%$31,114
Retail trade46,492-2.0%$41,914
Manufacturing39,249-1.5%$75,424
Professional and technical services31,160+0.5%$113,887
Administrative and support services27,651-1.6%$57,725
Finance and insurance25,322+0.8%$121,802
Educational services23,524+2.9%$67,151
Other services18,009-1.1%$49,767
Wholesale trade16,384+0.2%$101,570
Transportation and warehousing15,074+28.7%$56,015
Management of companies9,784-4.9%$138,171
Arts, entertainment and recreation8,949+3.6%$39,509
Real estate and rental6,564-0.2%$69,311
Utilities1,782+4.3%$130,984

Government employs 61,316 people (12.3% of all jobs): 11,509 federal, 17,477 state and 32,330 local.

Output and businesses in Rhode Island

Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau

GDP
$80.38B
2024, current dollars
Real GDP growth
+2.2%
Adjusted for inflation
Employer businesses
29,510
444,256 employees
  • Retail trade3,56712.1%
  • Construction3,52812.0%
  • Accommodation and food services3,27011.1%
  • Health care and social assistance3,16310.7%
  • Other services3,11410.6%
  • Professional and technical services3,08510.5%
  • Administrative and support services1,9196.5%
  • Finance and insurance1,5165.1%
  • Real estate and rental1,2734.3%
  • Wholesale trade1,2454.2%

Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023

Federal money in Rhode Island

Federal awards, pandemic loans and political donations

Frequently asked questions

What is the unemployment rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's unemployment rate was 3.6% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
Which county in Rhode Island has the highest unemployment?
Providence County has the highest rate at 4.2%, and Bristol County has the lowest at 2.9% (not seasonally adjusted).
What is the largest industry in Rhode Island?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private employer with 86,132 jobs, followed by accommodation and food services (52,338) and retail trade (46,492).
What is the average salary in Rhode Island?
The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Rhode Island was $71,123 in 2025, or $1,368 a week.
How big is Rhode Island's economy?
Rhode Island's GDP was $80.38B in 2024, about $72,265 per resident.