Providence Employment

Employment and Industries in the Providence, Rhode Island Area

Due to the numerous hospitals, finance-related companies, institutions of higher learning and being the state capital, the Providence economy is very dependent on service industries. Regarding the finance industry, Providence includes several major financial companies and numerous smaller financial firms.

Providence still retains manufacturing jobs. Industries providing employment include plastic goods, rubber items, instruments, fabricated metals, electrical equipment as well as supplies for the Department of Defense. The city is still a prominent location for jewelry and silverware design and manufacturing.

Providence is the headquarters for the Fortune 500 company Textron and the Fortune 1000 company Nortek Incorporated. The world headquarters for the noteworthy GTECH and the headquarters of Citizens Bank are also located in the city.

Rhode Island provides companies with job training tax credits that are equal to half a company's training expenses. The state also offers job training grants that can be customized to the needs of businesses.

In Providence, the fastest growing occupational groups are technical workers and professionals. The major employment segments in Providence are trade, transportation and utilities; educational and health services, manufacturing, government, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities. Management, professional and related occupations comprise about 30% of the workforce. About 19% of the labor force consists of production, transportation and material moving workers.

Noteworthy information regarding Providence, Rhode Island: Average salary in 2009: $32,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 107.8. (U.S. average: 100). Population 25 years of age and older holding a bachelor's degree: 24%.

Largest employers in Providence, Rhode Island:

  • Rhode Island Hospital
  • Brown University
  • U.S. Postal Service
  • Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
  • Miriam Hospital
  • Bank of America
  • Verizon
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Roger Williams Medical Center
  • Providence Journal
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island
  • Bank Rhode Island
  • Charter One Bank
  • Citizens Bank
  • Lighthouse MD
  • Rhode Island Convention Center
  • Textron
  • WMCA of Greater Providence

Some of the organizations providing assistance to local companies are:

People interested in staying up-to-date with local business activities can read the Providence Business News.

Jobs in Providence

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations579060$55,930$26.89100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations76200$43,670$2113.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations59360$29,510$14.198.7
4Sales and Related Occupations58770$44,920$21.69.5
5Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations40460$93,050$44.745.85
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations39180$36,900$17.746.7
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations38600$67,850$32.626
8Production Occupations36420$42,140$20.265.6
9Business and Financial Operations Occupations32870$80,200$38.565.35
10Healthcare Support Occupations30110$34,310$16.492.85
11Management Occupations24670$136,330$65.546.35
12Construction and Extraction Occupations21110$56,680$27.254.6
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations19700$52,300$25.153.75
14Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations19270$33,640$16.173.6
15Retail Salespersons18000$32,070$15.422.7
16Cashiers17470$26,160$12.582.2
17Fast Food and Counter Workers16120$25,870$12.442.45
18Computer and Mathematical Occupations15130$91,050$43.783
19Registered Nurses15070$82,170$39.511.95
20Protective Service Occupations14870$51,400$24.712.2
21Personal Care and Service Occupations13950$33,420$16.074.65
22Office Clerks, General12460$38,890$18.71.9
23Community and Social Service Occupations11910$53,190$25.571.75
24Waiters and Waitresses11610$29,090$13.991.65
25Nursing Assistants10840$32,840$15.790.95
26Home Health and Personal Care Aides10580$30,180$14.510
27Architecture and Engineering Occupations10080$91,780$44.131.7
28Customer Service Representatives9870$39,420$18.951.75
29Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand9390$33,950$16.321.8
30Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations8420$61,750$29.691.8
31Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners7990$31,290$15.051.5
32Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive7190$43,890$21.11.4
33Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks7120$45,620$21.931.05
34Stockers and Order Fillers6860$31,490$15.141.25
35Cooks, Restaurant6530$30,960$14.880.9
36General and Operations Managers6460$149,950$72.091.5
37Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products5940$77,360$37.190.85
38First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers5390$66,330$31.890.95
39Accountants and Auditors5190$83,850$40.320.9
40Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers5020$35,050$16.850.75
41Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers4920$47,080$22.631.2
42Maintenance and Repair Workers, General4870$45,960$22.10.9
43Receptionists and Information Clerks4830$34,130$16.410.7
44Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4580$30,140$14.490.9
45First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers4330$57,450$27.620.95
46Legal Occupations3950$91,380$43.930.8
47Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations3870$84,220$40.490.8
48First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers3860$45,490$21.870.6
49Food Preparation Workers3860$30,330$14.580.5
50Packers and Packagers, Hand3740$28,340$13.630.4
51Light Truck Drivers3720$38,560$18.540.6
52Security Guards3510$30,880$14.850.7
53Management Analysts3410$89,020$42.80.55
54Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics3370$42,230$20.30.5
55Childcare Workers3320$28,330$13.620.7
56Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3310$38,000$18.270.4
57Carpenters3300$53,400$25.670.6
58Construction Laborers3270$52,680$25.330.9
59Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other3270$86,200$41.440.7
60Social and Human Service Assistants3160$36,260$17.430.3
61Medical Assistants3140$37,420$17.990.45
62Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric3130$207,850$99.930.3
63Dishwashers3020$26,400$12.690.3
64Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators2990$32,080$15.430.8
65Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers2990$108,560$52.190.65
66First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2970$72,870$35.030.4
67Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity2930$38,420$18.470.3
68Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2850$67,460$32.430.7
69Financial Managers2770$159,050$76.470.4
70Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists2710$74,370$35.750.45
71Human Resources Specialists2650$71,320$34.290.4
72Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers2530$25,470$12.240.3
73Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers2430$64,860$31.180.4
74Electricians2410$59,450$28.580.45
75Billing and Posting Clerks2280$42,870$20.610.3
76Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2210$42,830$20.590.4
77Medical and Health Services Managers2180$128,150$61.610.3
78Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2140$56,960$27.390.2
79Child, Family, and School Social Workers2130$61,080$29.360.2
80Pharmacy Technicians2130$37,560$18.060.3
81School Bus Monitors and Protective Service Workers, All Other2120$32,670$15.710.1
82Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers2070$43,430$20.880.35
83Cooks, Fast Food2000$26,430$12.710.3
84Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education2000$32,560$15.660.3
85Computer Systems Analysts1940$98,410$47.320.4
86Lawyers1930$120,580$57.970.5
87Firefighters1920$57,600$27.690.2
88Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters1920$55,550$26.710
89First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1890$85,780$41.240.4
90Insurance Sales Agents1860$70,450$33.870.3
91Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents1860$91,290$43.890.3
92Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other1840$89,040$42.810.2
93Computer User Support Specialists1800$63,420$30.490.4
94Pharmacists1760$124,840$60.020.2
95Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1750$32,530$15.640.4
96Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors1720$45,320$21.790.2
97Tellers1720$35,180$16.920.25
98Computer Occupations, All Other1700$81,790$39.320.3
99Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1680$56,830$27.320.3
100Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers1680$51,230$24.630.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Providence Colleges
Providence colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Providence Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$55,930579,060
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$43,67076,200
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$29,51059,360
Sales and Related Occupations$44,92058,770
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$93,05040,460
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,90039,180
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,85038,600
Production Occupations$42,14036,420
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$80,20032,870
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,31030,110
Management Occupations$136,33024,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$56,68021,110
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,30019,700
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$33,64019,270
Retail Salespersons$32,07018,000
Cashiers$26,16017,470
Fast Food and Counter Workers$25,87016,120
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$91,05015,130
Registered Nurses$82,17015,070
Protective Service Occupations$51,40014,870
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,42013,950
Office Clerks, General$38,89012,460
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,19011,910
Waiters and Waitresses$29,09011,610
Nursing Assistants$32,84010,840
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$30,18010,580
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,78010,080
Customer Service Representatives$39,4209,870
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,9509,390
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$61,7508,420
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,2907,990
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$43,8907,190
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$45,6207,120
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,4906,860
Cooks, Restaurant$30,9606,530
General and Operations Managers$149,9506,460
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$77,3605,940
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$66,3305,390
Accountants and Auditors$83,8505,190
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,0505,020
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,0804,920
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$45,9604,870
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,1304,830
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,1404,580
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$57,4504,330
Legal Occupations$91,3803,950
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$84,2203,870
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,4903,860
Food Preparation Workers$30,3303,860
Packers and Packagers, Hand$28,3403,740

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Providence, Rhode Island Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$55,930579,060
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$43,67076,200
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$29,51059,360
Sales and Related Occupations$44,92058,770
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$93,05040,460
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,90039,180
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$67,85038,600
Production Occupations$42,14036,420
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$80,20032,870
Healthcare Support Occupations$34,31030,110
Management Occupations$136,33024,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$56,68021,110
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$52,30019,700
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$33,64019,270
Retail Salespersons$32,07018,000
Cashiers$26,16017,470
Fast Food and Counter Workers$25,87016,120
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$91,05015,130
Registered Nurses$82,17015,070
Protective Service Occupations$51,40014,870
Personal Care and Service Occupations$33,42013,950
Office Clerks, General$38,89012,460
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,19011,910
Waiters and Waitresses$29,09011,610
Nursing Assistants$32,84010,840
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$30,18010,580
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,78010,080
Customer Service Representatives$39,4209,870
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,9509,390
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$61,7508,420
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,2907,990
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$43,8907,190
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$45,6207,120
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,4906,860
Cooks, Restaurant$30,9606,530
General and Operations Managers$149,9506,460
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$77,3605,940
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$66,3305,390
Accountants and Auditors$83,8505,190
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,0505,020
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,0804,920
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$45,9604,870
Receptionists and Information Clerks$34,1304,830
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,1404,580
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$57,4504,330
Legal Occupations$91,3803,950
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$84,2203,870
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,4903,860
Food Preparation Workers$30,3303,860
Packers and Packagers, Hand$28,3403,740

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