Welder Salary in Rhode Island: $54,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $54,894/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $54,621 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($53,960), Warwick ($53,871), East Providence ($53,545).
In Rhode Island, the average median salary for welders in 2026 is projected to be $54,894, which is slightly below the national median of $55,895, reflecting a difference of 1.8%. The highest-paying city for welders is Pawtucket at $56,113, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $51,831, indicating a salary gap of $4,282. This difference can be attributed to various factors such as the cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the concentration of manufacturing industries in different areas. Rhode Island has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may impact employment opportunities and wages. Additionally, the demand for skilled welders is driven by ongoing developments in local industries and a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% for welding jobs, according to BLS data. With approximately 2,619 welders employed across the state, cities like Warwick, East Providence, West Warwick, and Coventry also offer competitive salaries, with figures ranging from $55,272 to $56,020. The overall job market outlook for welders in Rhode Island appears positive, providing opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in this field.
Rhode Island Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $37,000 (lowest entry-level) to $84,232 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island welders earn 1.79% less than the national median ($-1,001/year difference).
Rhode Island Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Rhode Island range from $37,207 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,908 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $54,894. The Rhode Island median is $1,001 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $26.40/hr. Approximately 2,619 welders are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,830
2025 BLS Actual
$52,788
2026 Current Est.
$54,894
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,231 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 8.1% from $48,830 (2019) to $52,788 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,255 (16.91%) 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 3.99% 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 | $51,831 |
| Westerly | $52,460 |
| Bristol | $53,177 |
| South Kingstown | $53,323 |
| Cumberland | $53,462 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $56,113 | 100.5 | $55,834 |
| Warwick | $56,020 | 100.5 | $55,741 |
| East Providence | $55,681 | 100.5 | $55,404 |
| West Warwick | $55,533 | 100.5 | $55,257 |
| Coventry | $55,272 | 100.5 | $54,997 |
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) | $37,207 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $54,894 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,908 |
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 | $56,113 |
| 2 | Warwick | $56,020 |
| 3 | East Providence | $55,681 |
| 4 | West Warwick | $55,533 |
| 5 | Coventry | $55,272 |
| 6 | Cranston | $54,947 |
| 7 | Providence | $54,907 |
| 8 | Johnston | $54,321 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $54,299 |
| 10 | Newport | $54,003 |
| 11 | North Providence | $53,894 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $53,876 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $53,462 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $53,323 |
| 15 | Bristol | $53,177 |
| 16 | Westerly | $52,460 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $51,831 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Rhode Island?
How many welders are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for welders?
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
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 3.99% 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 welder compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute 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 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov