Healthcare Social Workers Salary
In Rhode Island, healthcare social workers earn $75,390 at the median, or about $36.25 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $74,079 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,544/month, about 31.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Rhode Island?
About healthcare social workers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Rhode Island
Rhode Island sits well above the national pay line for healthcare social workers, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,544/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level healthcare social workers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Healthcare Social Workers salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $74K | -1% | 960 |
Compare to other states
Track healthcare social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
Related careers in Community & Social
Frequently asked questions
Can a healthcare social worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 31.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for healthcare social workers in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new healthcare social workers typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,884/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 54% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is healthcare social worker a high-paying job in Rhode Island?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $75K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for healthcare social workers?
Rhode Island pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $74K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do healthcare social workers make in Rhode Island?
The median is $75,390 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,070, and experienced healthcare social workers can clear $96,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,914/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 31.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a healthcare social workers salary go in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median healthcare social workers salary is worth about $74,079 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do healthcare social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.