Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Pawtucket, RI: $49.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Pawtucket, RI runs $49.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,131 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Pawtucket's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,876 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pawtucket, registered nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $49.58 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $49.39/hr. This competitive hourly rate positions RNs well, especially those working part-time on a 3-day/week schedule, as they can expect a comfortable income even with reduced hours. For those in the per diem setting, opportunities are plentiful across various environments such as hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics, providing flexibility and potentially higher earnings. The hourly range for registered nurses in this region extends from approximately $33.95 for entry-level positions to around $72.08 for top earners, reflecting the diverse experience levels and specializations within the field. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, underline the viability of nursing as a lucrative career path in Pawtucket.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.95 | $271.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.64 | $317.11 |
| Median (P50) | $49.58 | $396.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.76 | $454.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.08 | $576.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pawtucket
Based on $49.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.58/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pawtucket, RI can expect to earn approximately $103,126 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,496. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pawtucket.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pawtucket
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,983.20 | $8,594 | $103,126 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,189.92 | $5,156 | $61,876 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $793.28 | $3,438 | $41,251 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Pawtucket) | $49.58 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $103,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,234.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.58/hr = $61,876/year (purchasing power: $61,568).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,126/year (purchasing power: $102,613).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Pawtucket grew 33.1% from $35.38/hr (2019) to $47.08/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Pawtucket
Part-time registered nurses working in Pawtucket can realistically expect to earn around $61,878 annually by committing to a schedule of 24 hours per week. This is a substantial earning potential, particularly when compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem registered nurses also have flexible earnings, typically billing between $50 and $80 per hour depending on their specialty and contract requirements. Travel nurse positions often yield even greater rewards, with contracts ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, especially for critical care roles. It's crucial to understand that hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer, as hospital systems usually offer different compensation structures than surgical specialty centers or home health agencies. Some nurses may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, highlighting the trade-offs in this profession. For those in Pawtucket, negotiating hourly rates can be advantageous; understanding market demands and leveraging skill sets—particularly for magnet-status and specialty-certified nurses—can lead to more favorable employment conditions.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Pawtucket in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in Pawtucket?
Are registered nurses in Pawtucket paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in Pawtucket?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Pawtucket?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Pawtucket. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pawtucket 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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov