Bookkeeper salary and cost of hiring in Rhode Island
The median bookkeeper in Rhode Island earned $53,280 a year in May 2025[1], 5.2% above the US median of $50,670. That puts Rhode Island at #14 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3031. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $39,880 | $53,280 | $76,210 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Rhode Island earns $46,800–$63,160; the top tenth earns $76,210 or more, 1.9 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Rhode Island median that makes about $76,114 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Rhode Island
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $63,160 | 6,400 |
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper records the company's transactions, reconciles bank accounts, keeps receivables and payables in order and prepares the books for the accountant.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | +1.4% | |
| Maryland | +0.5% | |
| Rhode Island | +0.0% | |
| New Hampshire | -1.6% | |
| Delaware | -2.8% |
Questions
How much does a bookkeeper earn in Rhode Island?
The median was $53,280 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $46,800 to $63,160.
What does it cost to employ a bookkeeper in Rhode Island?
About $76,114 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Rhode Island do bookkeepers earn the most?
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, with a median of $54,630 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.