Lawyer Salary in South Kingstown, RI: $159,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in South Kingstown, RI earns a median $159,482/year (≈ $76.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in South Kingstown's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $158,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in South Kingstown is set at $159,482, which is notably lower than the national median of $167,174, reflecting a difference of around 4.60%. The salary range for legal professionals in this area stretches from $92,499 at the 10th percentile to $247,198 at the 90th percentile. This variance in pay indicates a market where the compensation can significantly differ depending on factors such as practice area, firm size, and experience. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost disparities, providing a clearer picture of the economic expectations for lawyers in this coastal community.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,499 | $44.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,828 | $55.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,482 | $76.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,137 | $98.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,198 | $118.84 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Kingstown
In South Kingstown, RI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $154,699 (2026 est.). At $159,482, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Kingstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Kingstown Lawyer Pay Compares
South Kingstown median: $159,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Kingstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $168,053 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -4.60% less |
Lawyers in South Kingstown, RI earn a median of $159,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $168,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Kingstown has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Kingstown, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,482 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,689 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,302
2025 BLS Actual
$152,323
2026 Current Est.
$159,482
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in South Kingstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,302 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,089 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,494 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Kingstown metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $117,302 (2019) to $152,323 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,676 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Kingstown 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 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $92,499 – $114,828 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,828 – $159,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,482 – $204,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,137 – $247,198 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in South Kingstown
The employment landscape for attorneys in South Kingstown reflects a modest local market with only five lawyers currently practicing in the area. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.5, the purchasing power of those salaries may be constrained compared to places with higher legal pay scales. In terms of potential earnings, larger firms in nearby cities typically offer higher salaries, with BigLaw positions at firms like Cravath and Skadden known for aggressive compensation packages but often demanding work hours exceeding 2,000 annually. By contrast, in-house corporate legal roles and small firms tend to offer a healthier work-life balance at lower pay rates. For lawyers based in South Kingstown, pursuing opportunities in public sector roles or seeking positions at regional firms might provide better job security and employee benefits, particularly considering public service loan forgiveness options available for those entering government or nonprofit positions.
More salary data for South Kingstown, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $152,323 for lawyersin the South Kingstown metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Kingstown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov