Rhode Island Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Rhode Island teachers earn a median annual salary ranging from $85,470 for kindergarten teachers to $92,760 for middle school teachers, according to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Pay varies by grade level and experience. Teachers also receive a defined-benefit pension through ERSRI and state-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage starting on their first day of employment.
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Rhode Island pairs a competitive teacher salary with one of the steadier public pension systems in New England. Median wages for classroom teachers in the state range from $85,470 to $92,760 a year depending on grade level, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beyond the paycheck, eligible public school teachers in Rhode Island participate in a defined-benefit pension through the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) and can access a state-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plan. Learn more about Rhode Island teacher preparation programs and educator licensure requirements, or, if you’re already certified in another state, review Rhode Island’s reciprocity agreements for out-of-state teachers.
Rhode Island Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
Median pay for Rhode Island teachers climbs with grade level and experience. The table below shows median annual wages and projected job growth by occupation, according to May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and 2024-2034 state job growth projections from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $85,470 | -1.0% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $90,930 | -1.5% |
| Middle School Teachers | $92,760 | -1.4% |
| High School Teachers | $92,610 | -1.0% |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rhode Island middle school teachers earned the highest median wage among the four grade bands at $92,760 as of May 2025, followed closely by high school teachers at $92,610. Kindergarten teachers had the lowest median at $85,470, though all four figures sit well above the national median for their occupation.
Job Outlook for Rhode Island Teachers
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training projects a slight decline in teaching positions between 2024 and 2034, mirroring the national trend for these occupations. Elementary school teaching positions are projected to fall 1.5%, from 3,990 to 3,940, but the state still expects 260 average annual openings from retirements and staff turnover. Middle school and high school teaching positions are projected to decline 1.4% and 1% respectively, each generating several hundred annual openings even as total headcount edges down. Kindergarten teaching positions are projected to hold roughly flat, with 30 average annual openings statewide.
Retiring in Rhode Island
As an eligible public employee in Rhode Island, you participate in a retirement program through the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI). This program pays a monthly income after you end your teaching career.
ERSRI is a defined-benefit plan determined by a pre-set formula. Teachers contribute 9.5% of their salary to the plan, and their employer contributes a separate percentage that depends on the district and can change annually.
Once you reach normal retirement age, you can end employment and start collecting benefits from the fund you’ve contributed to for years. To receive unreduced monthly benefits, you need to meet one of the following:
- Age 59 or older with 29 years of service credit
- Age 60 or older with 10 years of service credit
Your monthly annuity depends on two factors: your final average salary and your years of creditable service. Those two factors are multiplied by a benefit percentage that changes based on years worked. The maximum benefit you can receive is 80% of your final average salary.
For example, if your final average salary is $60,000, the most you can collect each year is $48,000.
To learn more about retiring in Rhode Island, visit the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island.
Health, Dental, and Other Benefits for Rhode Island Teachers
Eligible public school teachers in Rhode Island can access a state-sponsored health plan administered by the carrier selected by the Rhode Island Office of Employee Benefits, currently Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), which provides public employees with affordable health coverage.
The health plan starts on your first day of employment and includes a long list of in-network providers along with a prescription drug program for lower-cost medications. It also covers a range of medical services, including:
- Ambulance services
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Chiropractic treatment
- Maternity services
- Mental health services
Emergency dental services are covered through the medical plan. If you want additional dental coverage, you can enroll in a separate dental insurance plan that includes:
- Oral exams
- Cleanings
- X-rays
- Fillings and root canals
- General anesthesia
Rhode Island also provides teachers with a vision plan, flexible spending accounts, and health insurance after retirement. Contact the state Office of Employee Benefits for details on everything available to teachers in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do teachers make in Rhode Island?
Median annual salaries range from $85,470 for kindergarten teachers to $92,760 for middle school teachers, according to May 2025 BLS data. Elementary school teachers earn a median of $90,930, and high school teachers earn $92,610.
Do Rhode Island teachers get a pension?
Most public school teachers participate in the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI), a defined-benefit plan. Teachers contribute 9.5% of their salary, and the maximum benefit is capped at 80% of final average salary.
What health benefits do Rhode Island teachers receive?
Eligible teachers can access a state-sponsored medical plan, currently administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), starting on their first day of employment, plus separate dental, vision, and flexible spending account options.
How is the ERSRI retirement benefit calculated?
Your monthly annuity is based on your final average salary and years of creditable service, multiplied by a benefit percentage that increases with years worked, up to an 80% cap.
Is teaching employment growing in Rhode Island?
Overall headcount is projected to decline slightly through 2034, in line with the national trend, but the state still expects hundreds of annual openings across grade levels from retirements and turnover.
- Salaries vary by grade level — Rhode Island’s median teacher salary ranges from $85,470 for kindergarten teachers to $92,760 for middle school teachers as of May 2025.
- ERSRI provides a defined-benefit pension — teachers contribute 9.5% of salary, with benefits capped at 80% of final average salary.
- Health coverage can start day one — the state-sponsored medical plan, currently administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), is available immediately to eligible teachers, with separate dental and vision options.
- Job openings continue despite a slight decline — the state projects hundreds of annual openings per grade level from retirements and turnover through 2034.
Explore Rhode Island teacher preparation programs and review educator licensure requirements to see what’s required to start teaching in the state.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
