Law Degree Programs in Rhode Island: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Rhode Island employs about 1,840 lawyers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the bar in the state where you intend to practice. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare law programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Rhode Island
Lawyers are admitted to practice state by state. The national framework is a Juris Doctor from an ABA-approved law school, a bar examination set by the state, and a character and fitness review. Which degrees confer bar eligibility, whether any distance study is permitted, and how the examination is scored are all decided by the individual state bar, and they differ more than most applicants expect.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the bar in the state where you intend to practice that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Lawyers Earn in Rhode Island
Lawyers in Rhode Island earn a median $138,960 per year, below the national median of $159,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Law Pay and Employment in Rhode Island at a Glance
| Metric | Rhode Island | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $138,960 | $159,670 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $80,710 | $78,360 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $108,200 | $102,990 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $200,130 | $221,370 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $268,270 | $351,600 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 1,840 | 754,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.76 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 4.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Rhode Island Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Rhode Island median of $138,960 sits below the national median of $159,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.76 puts Rhode Island below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | $133,000 | 2,380 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Legal hiring follows courts, corporate headquarters and government offices, so the local concentration of those is what determines how many positions are open in a given market.
Lawyers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), lawyers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 2,380 | $133,000 | $157,320 | $80,200 | $268,330 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Rhode Island Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage for lawyers in Rhode Island is $138,960, below the national median of $159,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $108,200 at the 25th percentile to $200,130 at the 75th.
How many lawyers work in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island holds about 1,840 lawyer jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 754,500, and BLS projects about 31,500 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a lawyer in Rhode Island?
Lawyers are admitted to practice state by state. The national framework is a Juris Doctor from an ABA-approved law school, a bar examination set by the state, and a character and fitness review. Which degrees confer bar eligibility, whether any distance study is permitted, and how the examination is scored are all decided by the individual state bar, and they differ more than most applicants expect. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the bar in the state where you intend to practice before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-approved law school online while working in Rhode Island?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the bar in the state where you intend to practice.
What is the highest-paying area of Rhode Island for lawyers?
Among Rhode Island metro areas with published data, Providence reports the highest median at $133,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Rhode Island a good state for lawyers?
On pay, the state median of $138,960 sits below the national $159,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.76 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Law programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Paralegal career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Lawyers (SOC 23-1011), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.