Find a Job You Really Want In
When we think of Rhode Island, picturesque beaches, vibrant cultural attractions, and a rich culinary scene often come to mind. However, the state also boasts a dynamic economy and a job market that has continued to evolve in recent years.
At Zippia, we analyze local economies to identify which sectors are thriving. Understanding these trends can guide job seekers and those considering relocation to the area, providing insight into what industries are currently leading the job market.
In this article, we unveil the top industries for job opportunities within Rhode Island as of 2026.
After examining all available data, we’ve compiled a list of the five best industries for jobs in Rhode Island:
Continue reading to discover how we determined which industries stand out in today’s job market.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Rhode Island job landscape, check out these articles:
How We Determined the Best Industries in Rhode Island
Data serves as an objective measure in assessing the job market, and we dedicated ourselves to gathering comprehensive data on Rhode Island’s employment landscape.
We focused on the following criteria to evaluate the best industries:
- Average Salary
- Job Availability
- Average Stress Level of Jobs in the Industry
Data sources include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
Stress levels are derived from self-reported statistics from individuals within the industry. We ranked each industry on a scale of 1 to 21, with 1 representing the least stressful conditions.
By averaging these rankings, we established a ‘Best Industry’ index, ultimately recognizing Healthcare Practitioners and Technical as the leading sector in Rhode Island.
For a detailed table of the data, please see below. Now, let’s delve deeper into the strengths of each of these industries.
Detailed List of the Best Industries in Rhode Island
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $87,340 |
| 2 | Education, Training, and Library | $59,390 |
| 3 | Legal | $96,530 |
| 4 | Architecture and Engineering | $87,560 |
| 5 | Computer and Mathematical | $85,200 |
| 6 | Business and Financial Operations | $75,000 |
| 7 | Community and Social Service | $49,440 |
| 8 | Office and Administrative Support | $39,340 |
| 9 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $54,060 |
| 10 | Production and Manufacturing | $37,600 |
| 11 | Healthcare Support | $32,010 |
| 12 | Life, Physical, and Social Science | $75,150 |
| 13 | Food Preparation and Serving Related | $25,070 |
| 14 | Protective Service | $49,170 |
| 15 | Sales | $45,430 |
| 16 | Construction and Extraction | $51,780 |
| 17 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $49,190 |
| 18 | Personal Care and Service | $28,370 |
| 19 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $29,980 |
| 20 | Transportation | $35,200 |
| 21 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $35,650 |
Conclusion: The Best Industries in Rhode Island
In summary, the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Industry stands out as the leading sector in Rhode Island, thanks to its competitive salaries and robust job availability. Conversely, the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Industry ranks lower primarily due to limited job opportunities and lower wages.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
