💰 Salary Guide

Social Worker Salary in Rhode Island (2026 Guide)

Rhode Island is one of the highest-paying states for social workers in the U.S., with a weighted mean salary of $76,306. The state's combination of Rhode Island's small footprint with strong hospital concentration keeps compensation elevated, particularly for clinical and healthcare roles.

$76,306
Mean salary
+24.4% vs. U.S. median
$102,910
LCSW upside
+34.9% above state mean
4,600
Employed
BLS OES May 2024
+5.6%
Growth 2024–2034
Projected job growth
Salary Breakdown

Rhode Island salary by specialty.

BLS tracks four social worker subcategories. Each has different salary dynamics driven by licensure, setting, and employer type.

Specialty (SOC) Rhode Island mean U.S. mean Differential
Child, Family & School
SOC 21-1021 · BSW/LMSW/LCSW		 $69,960 $58,570 +19.4%
Healthcare / Medical
SOC 21-1022 · LCSW		 $78,960 $68,090 +16.0%
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
SOC 21-1023 · LCSW		 $75,200 $60,060 +25.2%
Social Workers, All Other
SOC 21-1029 · Policy/VA/Private		 $102,910 $69,480 +48.1%

Data: BLS OES May 2024. Differential compares state subcategory mean to national subcategory mean.

What this means

What this salary picture tells you.

Rhode Island pays well but the market is relatively well-supplied with licensed social workers. Expect competitive hiring processes, especially in metro areas. Specialization (healthcare, substance use, geriatric) and LCSW status create differentiation.

Shortage level: Moderate   Demand score: 77/100   Top settings: Hospitals, Schools, Community mental health

How to earn more in Rhode Island

Three levers that move the salary needle.

1. LCSW licensure. The LCSW is the single biggest salary lever in social work. In Rhode Island, licensed clinical social workers earn up to $102,910 — +34.9% above the state mean. Requires 2,000 supervised clinical hours and 2 years post-MSW.

2. Specialty choice. Healthcare social workers earn $78,960 on average in Rhode Island — typically the highest-paying subcategory. Substance use and geriatric specializations also command premiums due to demand.

3. Setting and employer type. Nationally, state/local government and hospital systems pay $12,000–$16,000 more than individual and family services. PSLF-eligible public-sector employment adds significant effective compensation for anyone with student loans.

LCSW path in Rhode IslandHours, timeline, examSee the roadmap → Find supervisionConnect with LCSW supervisorsBrowse supervisors → Open jobs in Rhode IslandLCSW-eligible with 4-signal listingsBrowse jobs →
Compare Rhode Island to peer states

Salary peers worth comparing.

Automatically selected based on region, salary tier, and shortage contrast.

New York
Northeast · Mean salary
$78,435
Washington
West · Mean salary
$75,689
Nevada
West · Mean salary
$69,253
Kentucky
South · Mean salary
$60,302
FAQ

Common questions about social work salary in Rhode Island.

How much do social workers make in Rhode Island?
The weighted mean annual salary for social workers in Rhode Island is $76,306, based on BLS OES May 2024 data. Pay varies significantly by specialty: Child/Family/School social workers average $69,960, Healthcare social workers $78,960, and Mental Health & Substance Abuse social workers $75,200.
How much do LCSWs make in Rhode Island?
LCSWs in Rhode Island typically earn up to $102,910 in the highest-paying settings (usually mental health, healthcare, or specialty private practice). That's +34.9% above the overall state mean. Clinical licensure is the single biggest salary lever in social work.
What's the highest-paying social work specialty in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the highest-paying subcategory is All Other (policy, VA, private practice) at $102,910. Nationally, healthcare social work tends to be the most consistently well-paid, but state-specific patterns vary.
Is Rhode Island a good state for social workers?
Rhode Island has a demand score of 77/100 based on growth rate, shortage pressure, and labor-market signals. The state's moderate shortage level and 5.6% projected growth 2024–2034 shape both job availability and compensation dynamics. Best-fit settings include hospitals, schools, community mental health.
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024 — mean annual wage by SOC subcategory (21-1021 / 21-1022 / 21-1023 / 21-1029). Weighted mean uses national employment weights (CFS 49%, HC 24%, MH 17%, Other 10%). State employment counts: BLS OES SOC 21-1020 aggregated; est. indicates population-proportional estimate. Growth rate: BLS national 2024–2034 projection with state demographic modifiers. Last updated April 2026. This page provides general career-planning data, not legal or licensing advice — verify current state board requirements before making career decisions.