Online Human Services Degree in Rhode Island: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Rhode Island employs about 1,370 social and community service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state human services or behavioral health agency. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare human services programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Rhode Island
Human services itself is unlicensed - that is the practical difference from social work. The credentials that stack on top are state-specific: peer support certification, behavioral technician registries, case management certifications and the substance use disorder counseling tiers, each with its own training-hour requirements.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state human services or behavioral health agency 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 Social and Community Service Managers Earn in Rhode Island
Social and Community Service Managers in Rhode Island earn a median $77,570 per year, below the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Human Services Pay and Employment in Rhode Island at a Glance
| Metric | Rhode Island | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $77,570 | $80,390 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $56,190 | $53,150 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $63,150 | $64,290 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $100,460 | $103,200 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $129,230 | $132,260 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 1,370 | 209,330 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 2.04 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 6.4% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Rhode Island Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Rhode Island median of $77,570 sits below the national median of $80,390 (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 2.04 puts Rhode Island well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (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 | $77,490 | 2,060 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Agency work exists where the agencies are: community mental health centers, county human services departments, aging services and residential programs all hire locally.
Social and Community Service Managers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), social and community service managers 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 | 2,060 | $77,490 | $85,140 | $56,190 | $123,650 |
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 social and community service managers make in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage for social and community service managers in Rhode Island is $77,570, below the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $63,150 at the 25th percentile to $100,460 at the 75th.
How many social and community service managers work in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island holds about 1,370 human services professional jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 209,330, and BLS projects about 18,600 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a human services professional in Rhode Island?
Human services itself is unlicensed - that is the practical difference from social work. The credentials that stack on top are state-specific: peer support certification, behavioral technician registries, case management certifications and the substance use disorder counseling tiers, each with its own training-hour requirements. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state human services or behavioral health agency before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a human services associate, bachelor's or master's 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 your state human services or behavioral health agency.
What is the highest-paying area of Rhode Island for social and community service managers?
Among Rhode Island metro areas with published data, Providence reports the highest median at $77,490 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Rhode Island a good state for social and community service managers?
On pay, the state median of $77,570 sits below the national $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 2.04 means the occupation is more 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
- Human Services programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Substance Abuse Counselor 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 - Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151), 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/.