SritanaN // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.2% (60 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,870
Fastest-growing jobs in Rhode Island
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Rhode Island. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Rhode Island.
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wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Civil Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.2% (70 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,200
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $112,250
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Public Relations Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.2% (80 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,370
--- Employment in 2023: 1,290
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,770
4 PM production // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.2% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,640
--- Employment in 2023: 1,530
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,100
SviatlanaLaza // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.5% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 2,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,560
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.7% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,940
--- Employment in 2023: 2,730
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,520
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.7% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,940
--- Employment in 2023: 2,730
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,520
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.0% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,900
--- Employment in 2023: 1,760
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,540
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Pharmacy Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.2% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,720
--- Employment in 2023: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,730
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Security Guards
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.5% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,190
--- Employment in 2023: 2,940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,900
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santypan // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Bartenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.5% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,560
--- Employment in 2023: 3,280
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,700
VH-studio // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.9% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,320
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $67,150
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.1% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,560
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,770
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.3% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,540
--- Employment in 2023: 3,240
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,630
Canva
15 / 50#36. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.5% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,800
--- Employment in 2023: 8,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,890
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.5% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,800
--- Employment in 2023: 8,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,890
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.0% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,740
--- Employment in 2023: 4,310
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,920
wee dezign // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Software Developers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.1% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,010
--- Employment in 2023: 5,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $128,660
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Pharmacists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.3% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $128,010
comzeal images // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Loan Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.4% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,560
--- Employment in 2023: 1,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,460
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David Spates // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.9% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,320
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,580
Kzenon // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Training and Development Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.6% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,250
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,600
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.2% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $83,480
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Personal Financial Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.2% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $100,880
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Physical Therapists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.5% (180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,420
--- Employment in 2023: 1,240
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $102,900
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evgenii mitroshin // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.1% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,970
Fusionstudio // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.6% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,450
--- Employment in 2023: 2,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,950
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Waiters and Waitresses
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.8% (1,580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,010
--- Employment in 2023: 9,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,600
Frame Stock Footage // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.4% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,010
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $165,030
fizkes // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. General and Operations Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.5% (1,350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,060
--- Employment in 2023: 7,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $122,040
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Zahovaev K // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.5% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,350
--- Employment in 2023: 2,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,000
VH-studio // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.6% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,590
anyaivanova // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.7% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,130
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,220
anyaivanova // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.7% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,130
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,220
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.7% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $107,070
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DGLimages // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.2% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,210
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,930
Kanghophoto // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Financial Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.5% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,310
--- Employment in 2023: 1,870
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $160,490
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.9% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,990
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.2% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,830
--- Employment in 2023: 1,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,540
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.4% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,060
--- Employment in 2023: 1,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,560
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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Dishwashers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.2% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,830
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,260
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.7% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,490
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,680
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Data Scientists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.2% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,190
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $114,390
fizkes // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Marketing Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.3% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,120
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $171,250
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Bus Drivers, School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.2% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,040
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,430
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aboutsung // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.3% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,020
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Medical and Health Services Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.8% (680 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,530
--- Employment in 2023: 1,850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $120,240
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.5% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,200
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $69,380
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Social and Community Service Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.6% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,270
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,310
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Coaches and Scouts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.6% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,000
--- Employment in 2023: 560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,130
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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