Elementary School Teacher Salary in Rhode Island: $87,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $87,140/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,706 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($88,479), Providence ($86,720), Pawtucket ($64,220).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Rhode Island is projected to be $87,140, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, representing a gap of +34.9%. Within the state, salaries vary considerably; Warwick, the highest-paying city, offers $89,346, while Central Falls offers the lowest salary at $59,899, creating a salary difference of $29,447. This disparity is driven by factors such as local funding for education, cost of living, and demand for teachers in specific areas. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements, including passing proficiency assessments and fulfilling continuing education to maintain certification. The demand for teachers is influenced by factors like student enrollment rates and district budget allocations. The projected annual growth rate for employment in this sector is 0.98%, indicating a steady demand for teaching professionals. Top-paying cities also include Providence at $87,570, Pawtucket at $64,849, East Providence at $64,351, and West Warwick at $64,179. As the job market navigates economic fluctuations, keeping an eye on regional trends and salary variations is crucial for aspiring educators in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $47,196 (lowest entry-level) to $138,486 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island elementary school teachers earn 34.90% more than the national median (+$22,543/year difference).
Rhode Island Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Rhode Island range from $50,563 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,625 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,140. The Rhode Island median is $22,543 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $41.89/hr. Approximately 6,409 elementary school teachers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,840
2025 BLS Actual
$86,294
2026 Current Est.
$87,140
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,294 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,994 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 13.8% from $75,840 (2019) to $86,294 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,994 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,154 (16.03%) 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 0.98% 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 | $59,899 |
| Westerly | $60,627 |
| Bristol | $61,456 |
| South Kingstown | $61,625 |
| Cumberland | $61,786 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $89,346 | 100.5 | $88,901 |
| Providence | $87,570 | 101.773 | $86,044 |
| Pawtucket | $64,849 | 100.5 | $64,526 |
| East Providence | $64,351 | 100.5 | $64,031 |
| West Warwick | $64,179 | 100.5 | $63,860 |
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) | $50,563 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,140 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,625 |
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 | Warwick | $89,346 |
| 2 | Providence | $87,570 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $64,849 |
| 4 | East Providence | $64,351 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $64,179 |
| 6 | Coventry | $63,877 |
| 7 | Cranston | $63,502 |
| 8 | Johnston | $62,778 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $62,753 |
| 10 | Newport | $62,411 |
| 11 | North Providence | $62,284 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $62,264 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $61,786 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $61,625 |
| 15 | Bristol | $61,456 |
| 16 | Westerly | $60,627 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $59,899 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Rhode Island?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
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 0.98% 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 elementary school teacher compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute 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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov