Lawyer Salary

North Kingstown vs Providence: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between North Kingstown, RI and Providence, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Kingstown, RI
$161,137
$77.47/hr
Providence, RI
$139,251
$66.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Kingstown, RIProvidence, RI
Median Salary$161,137$139,251
Hourly Rate$77.47$66.95
Entry Level (P10)$93,459$83,969
25th Percentile$116,019$109,391
75th Percentile$206,256$204,249
Top Earner (P90)$249,763$280,942
Total Employed42,380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Kingstown ($161,137) and Providence ($139,251) lawyer salaries.North KingstownProvidenceMedian Salary$161,137$139,251Entry Level (P10)$93,459$83,969Top Earner (P90)$249,763$280,942US Median $167,174

Verdict

North Kingstown and Providence are closely matched on overall lawyer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between North Kingstown and Providence is $21,886 (15.72%). North Kingstown's median is -3.61% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Kingstown spans $156,304,Providence spans $196,973. Providence has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

North Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$93,459
P25$116,019
Median$161,137
P75$206,256
P90 (Top)$249,763
Providence
P10 (Entry)$83,969
P25$109,391
Median$139,251
P75$204,249
P90 (Top)$280,942

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Kingstown ($160,335 effective) pays 17.18% more than Providence ($136,825 effective).

North Kingstown
Nominal: $161,137
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $160,335
Providence
Nominal: $139,251
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $136,825

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Kingstown if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,137/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,335)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Providence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($280,942)
  • Larger job market (2,380 employed)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in North Kingstown grew 18.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Providence over the same period.

North Kingstown, RI

+18.3%

$130,126 (2024) → $153,904 (2025)

Providence, RI

+28.2%

$103,780 (2019) → $133,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: North Kingstown or Providence?

North Kingstown has a higher median lawyer salary at $161,137/year, compared to Providence at $139,251/year — a difference of $21,886 (15.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Kingstown and Providence?

North Kingstown lawyers earn $77.47/hr while Providence hygienists earn $66.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Kingstown to Providence as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Kingstown and Providence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Kingstown = $160,335, Providence = $136,825), job availability (4 vs 2,380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in North Kingstown vs Providence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $93,459 in North Kingstown and $83,969 in Providence. The North Kingstown area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov