Rhode Island Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Rhode Island Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small, but it’s dense with aging structures. That pushes demand toward service-oriented trades that can work efficiently in tight spaces, occupied buildings, and retrofit-heavy environments rather than large open construction sites.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Rhode Island (from this table): Lineworker ($87,199)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $57,616 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $36,946 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Rhode Island.
- Most stable demand in Rhode Island: service-heavy HVAC/electrical/plumbing work in compact markets where repeat customers matter more than huge projects.
- Best way to increase earnings: retrofit skills and licensing are your leverage—be the specialist who can modernize old systems cleanly.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($87,199) · CDL Truck Driver ($73,195) · AV Technician ($67,829)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Rhode Island
Demand is shaped most by tight geography, older buildings, and coastal wear-and-tear that keeps repair and replacement work coming, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Rhode Island trade pay is shaped by density, where service and retrofit work frequently outweighs new project volume.
- Outlook: Stable (dense service markets)
- What drives demand: tight geography, older buildings, and coastal wear-and-tear that keeps repair and replacement work coming.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Rhode Island
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Rhode Island. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $26.22 | $1,049 | $4,546 | $54,544 |
| AV Technician | $32.61 | $1,304 | $5,652 | $67,829 |
| Carpenter | $25.54 | $1,022 | $4,427 | $53,123 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $35.19 | $1,408 | $6,099 | $73,195 |
| CNC Machinist | $24.16 | $967 | $4,188 | $50,253 |
| Construction | $25.64 | $1,026 | $4,444 | $53,331 |
| Concrete Finisher | $28.11 | $1,124 | $4,872 | $58,469 |
| Diesel Technician | $29.18 | $1,167 | $5,058 | $60,694 |
| Electrician | $30.90 | $1,236 | $5,356 | $64,272 |
| Heavy Equipment | $25.23 | $986 | $4,273 | $51,278 |
| HVAC Technician | $28.43 | $1,139 | $4,937 | $59,238 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $28.10 | $1,124 | $4,871 | $58,448 |
| Ironworker | $26.77 | $1,070 | $4,639 | $55,666 |
| Lineworker | $41.92 | $1,677 | $7,266 | $87,199 |
| Marine Mechanic | $29.05 | $1,162 | $5,035 | $60,387 |
| Mason | $27.30 | $1,092 | $4,732 | $56,784 |
| Plumber | $32.76 | $1,280 | $5,546 | $66,554 |
| Roofer | $24.52 | $981 | $4,250 | $51,002 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.95 | $1,009 | $4,371 | $52,446 |
| Welder | $24.80 | $992 | $4,299 | $51,584 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Rhode Island Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Rhode Island’s trade demand is driven by public infrastructure, healthcare systems, higher education campuses, utilities, and ongoing renovation of older buildings. Because much of the state’s building stock is decades old, skilled electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, and sheet metal workers are consistently needed for upgrades, compliance work, and system replacements.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Providence metro: Hospitals, universities, government buildings, and commercial renovations drive steady mechanical and electrical work.
- Warwick & Cranston: Utilities, transportation infrastructure, and municipal projects support skilled trades.
- Statewide: Older residential and mixed-use buildings require ongoing electrical, plumbing, and HVAC modernization.
Major Employers and Contractors in Rhode Island
Tradespeople in Rhode Island frequently work with institutional owners, utilities, and established regional contractors, including:
- Gilbane Building Company — Large commercial, healthcare, and institutional construction projects throughout the state.
- Lifespan Health System — Hospital facilities requiring continuous mechanical and electrical maintenance.
- Rhode Island Energy — Electrical and gas utility infrastructure supporting licensed trades.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is one of the most union-dense states in the country for construction and mechanical trades. Union labor dominates public works, healthcare, institutional construction, and large commercial projects. Non-union opportunities exist but are more limited and typically concentrated in small residential or service-oriented work.
Union Apprenticeships in Rhode Island
Union apprenticeship programs are the primary entry point for many skilled trades in Rhode Island, offering structured training and access to prevailing-wage projects:
- IBEW Local 99 — Electrical apprenticeships serving Providence and surrounding areas.
- UA Local 51 — Plumbers and pipefitters supporting hospitals, universities, and municipal systems.
- SMART Local 17 — Sheet metal fabrication and HVAC-related apprenticeships across the state.
- Laborers’ International Union Local 271 — Infrastructure, utility, and public works construction.
Ready to start a trade career in Rhode Island?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Trade Schools & Apprenticeships