How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Rhode Island in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Rhode Island earns about $30.55 per hour, or $63,550 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,296 a month or $1,222 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay for individual Paramedics still varies by employer, shift, and years on the job.

That figure sits about 5% above the national figure of $60,600 for Paramedics, and it places Rhode Island 18th among the 51 states and D.C. ranked by pay. Around 160 Paramedics work in the state, a modest workforce compared with larger states nearby. Even with fewer positions, Rhode Island's pay holds its own against the national figure.

Entry-level positions in Rhode Island typically offer around $24.50 an hour, or about $50,960 a year, for Paramedics just starting out. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $63,550 within the first several years on the job. New hires in busier metro areas may see faster increases than those in smaller departments. Early pay reflects training level and shift assignment more than location.

Experienced Paramedics in Rhode Island often earn upwards of $35.58 an hour, or about $74,010 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $81,490 a year. That's a spread of $30,530 between entry-level and top pay, one of the wider gaps in the region. Setting, years of service, and city of employment tend to account for most of that difference. Paramedics who move into critical care or supervisory roles typically land at the higher end.

Rhode Island's typical Paramedic pay has climbed from $46,950 in 2021 to $63,550 in 2025, a gain of $16,600. That's a rise of about 35% over five years, tracked through the state's annual wage data. The increase was not perfectly steady; pay dipped in 2022 before climbing sharply through 2023 and 2024.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose about 30% over the same stretch, so Rhode Island's gain has outpaced the country as a whole. For someone starting a Paramedic career in Rhode Island now, recent years show pay has moved up rather than stalled. Past increases don't guarantee future ones, but the trend line points in a positive direction.

Pay for Paramedics is fairly uniform across Rhode Island's tracked metro areas. Both Providence and Warwick, covering their full metro areas, report the same typical pay: $66,370 a year, or $31.91 an hour, about 4% above the state figure of $63,550. That consistency reflects how tightly linked the state's job markets are for this occupation.

Warwick, the lowest-paying city in the data, matches Providence exactly at $66,370 a year, leaving a city spread of $0. Providence also carries the larger reported Paramedic workforce, with 380 employed there. Rhode Island's small geographic footprint means commuting between these metro areas is common, which helps keep pay closely aligned. Cost of living factors into pay levels too, though the effect is muted when cities sit this close together.

Rhode Island's Paramedic pay lands between its neighbors. Connecticut pays noticeably more, with Paramedics there earning $77,480 a year, about 22% above Rhode Island's figure. Massachusetts runs closer, at $66,340 a year, roughly 4% higher than Rhode Island. Paramedics considering a move across state lines should know that certification requirements often carry over through reciprocity or endorsement, which can simplify transferring to a nearby state.

Rhode Island Paramedics typically earn $63,550 a year, a figure that has grown 35% since 2021 and now sits modestly above the national figure. Pay climbs with experience and varies little between the state's tracked cities. Readers weighing a move or a new certification should check Rhode Island's EMS licensing or registry page for current requirements, and consult city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.