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Rhode Island’s Highest Paid Hourly Jobs

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Stephen Beale, GoLocalProv News Contributor

Rhode Island’s highest paying jobs earn between $51 to $89 an hour and as much as $185,330 annually, as of May 2014, according to the most recently available U.S. Bureau of Statistics Labor data for the state.

Topping the list are doctors who are general and family practitioners who had a median hourly wage of $89.10 and median annual salaries of $185,330. The median figures represent the middle of a range for the occupation. Second highest are judges and magistrates at a typical hourly wage of $87.67 and annual salaries of $182,360. Third are dentists, at $83.05 an hour and $172,750 a year.

See below slides for the top 30 highest paying jobs ranked by hourly wages.

In Rhode Island, the healthcare industry accounts for a third of the top 30 occupations. They include psychiatrists, surgeons, pediatricians, gynecologists, pharmacists, and physician assistants. Most of those positions are clustered right around the top of the list.

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Tech-related occupations account for four other top jobs. They are: computer and information systems managers, non-computer electronics engineers, computer network architects, and computer and information research scientists.

Across industries, the highest-paying occupation is manager. A little over a third of positions are management-related in such disparate industries and professions as natural science, construction, compensation and benefits, and public relations.

Data key to job seekers and head hunters

Ed Mazze, business professor at the University of Rhode Island, said the data is useful to a range of individuals. “The salary data published by the BLS by state is important to job seekers, job holders, hiring organizations, recruiters, career advisors, government policy makers, and others. Almost every company uses salary surveys of one type or the other to look at prevailing wages in their industry and by occupations,” Mazze said.

“BLS data is used to answer questions regarding current and future job trends in various occupations, to help organizations set salaries and for an individual to determine whether he/she is fairly paid,” Mazze added.

The data are limited, he noted. They don’t list the education requirements for the occupation, the type of employer of the occupations, years of experience, or location. Although educational background is listed, most top positions appear to require advanced degrees.

The information is particularly helpful to students and job seekers who seek to determine how much of a return on their investment—the cost of getting those advanced degrees—they can expect to receive when deciding to go into one profession over another.

Importance of healthcare industry

On a macro level, the data offer an important snapshot of the state’s economy, according to Mazze. “Policy makers use BLS data for pointing out minimum wages in various occupations and in identifying occupations beneficial to a state’s economy in an ideal economic world,” he said.

One industry stands out in the top 30 list: healthcare, which is represented by 10 different occupations, ranging from optometrist to physician assistant.

Steven DeToy, a spokesman for the Rhode Island Medical Society, said the jobs data reflect the importance of the healthcare industry to the state economy, as a source of high-income occupations. “Healthcare is a pretty important part of the Rhode Island economy,” De Toy said.

He drew a contrast with hospitality and tourism, also critical to the Ocean State’s economy, but with fewer high-income jobs. Tour guides, for instance, typically earn $11.65 an hour, according to the data. Chefs and head cooks fetch about $23.90 an hour. Food service managers register at $33.50.

The lowest paid occupation on the top 30 list, on the other hand, physician assistants, earn $52.35 an hour—and they are above lawyers, computer network architects, and many types of managers.

Physicians alone produced $4.8 billion in total annual sales, according to a 2012 survey from the American Medical Society cited by DeToy. They also accounted for $2.8 billion in total wages and benefits and $196 million in state and local taxes for Rhode Island, according to DeToy.

Those high-paying jobs also generate jobs for others. In fact, physicians support on average 10.4 jobs. In terms of actual numbers, there were 14,000 people occupied as physicians. They employed or supported jobs for another 17,000 non-physicians, according to DeToy.

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Judge pay above national norm

Occupations in the legal profession are at the top and the bottom of the list. They are, respectively, judges and lawyers. The pay for judges—typically $87.67 an hour—puts Rhode Island well above the national norm, which is $55.36 an hour.

Michael Yelnosky, the dean and a professor at the Roger Williams University School of Law suggested that most of the difference is attributable to the higher cost of living in the region, relative to the rest of the country.

“Based on the data with which I am most familiar, the annual salary of Rhode Island judges is above the national average but below the annual salaries of judges in CT and MA. And adjusted for cost of living, the annual salaries of judges in RI, CT, and MA are below the national average,” Yelnosky said. (He cited this study from the National Center for State Courts.)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data, however, suggests that at least some types of judges in Rhode Island are still above some of their regional peers. For example, judges and magistrates in Connecticut earn $77.10 an hour, about $10 below their counterparts in the same occupation in Rhode Island. (Data for that specific occupation was not available for Massachusetts.)

How does Rhode Island compare?

Overall, the make-up of the top-paying occupations in Connecticut and Massachusetts mirrors Rhode Island—healthcare-related professions dominate the list, as do managerial positions across various industries for both states.

In Massachusetts the highest-paid are psychiatrists, at $84.21 an hour, less than the top position in Rhode Island. In Connecticut, on the other hand, the top-earning occupation is obstetricians and gynecologists, at $89.88, a few dollars above the Ocean State.

Outside of New England, the general pattern still holds, but some of the jobs at the top of the list reflect the differing economic strengths of other states. For example, in Texas, petroleum engineers, geoscientists, and mining and geological engineers are among the highest-paid occupations in that state.

Related Slideshow: RI’s Top 30 Highest Paid Jobs by the Hour

Below are the top 30 highest paying jobs in Rhode Island based upon hourly wages. For each, the median wages and median annual salaries are displayed. Median wages and salaries reflect what a typical employee in an occupation earns, rather than average wages and salaries, which are affected by what the highest and lowest earners make. Note that data was not available for some professions which had reported a median hourly wage above $90. Occupations are listed in order of least to highest paid. Data is current as of May 2014, the most recent available. Source: the Occupational Employment Statistics program at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

30.

Lawyers

Number Employed: 1,680

Median Hourly Wage: $51.25

Median Annual Salary: $106,610

Occupational Description: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

29.

Computer Network Architects

Number Employed: 300

Median Hourly Wage: $51.41

Median Annual Salary: $106,930

Occupational Description: Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. Excludes "Information Security Analysts," "Network and Computer Systems Administrators," and "Computer Network Support Specialists"

28.

Managers, All Other

Number Employed: 860

Median Hourly Wage: $52.07

Median Annual Salary: $108,310

Occupational Description: All managers not listed separately.

27.

Construction Managers

Number Employed: 460

Median Hourly Wage: $52.12

Median Annual Salary: $108,420

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

26.

Physician Assistants

Number Employed: 250

Median Hourly Wage: $52.35

Median Annual Salary: $108,880

Occupational Description: Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants. Excludes "Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics," "Medical Assistants," "Registered Nurses," "Nurse Anesthetists," "Nurse Midwive," and "Nurse Practitioners."

25.

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Number Employed: 270

Median Hourly Wage: $53.19

Median Annual Salary: $110,630

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

24.

Optometrists

Number Employed: 150

Median Hourly Wage: $53.46

Median Annual Salary: $111,200

Occupational Description: Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are included in "Physicians and Surgeons, All Other"

23.

Veterinarians

Number Employed: 210

Median Hourly Wage: $54.38

Median Annual Salary: $113,100

Occupational Description: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

22.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Number Employed: 380

Median Hourly Wage: $54.61

Median Annual Salary: $113,580

Occupational Description: Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

21.

Pharmacists

Number Employed: 1,220

Median Hourly Wage: $55.03

Median Annual Salary: $114,460

Occupational Description: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

20.

Natural Sciences Managers

Number Employed: 120

Median Hourly Wage: $56.31

Median Annual Salary: $117,120

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. Excludes "Architecture and Engineering Managers" and "Computer and Information Systems Managers"

19.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Number Employed:1,080

Median Hourly Wage: $56.32

Median Annual Salary: $117,140

Occupational Description: Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls. Excludes "Computer Hardware Engineers"

18.

Physicists

Number Employed: 60

Median Hourly Wage: $56.33

Median Annual Salary: $117,160

Occupational Description: Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Excludes "Biochemists and Biophysicists"

17.

Marketing Managers

Number Employed: 440

Median Hourly Wage: $56.93

Median Anniual Salary: $118,400

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

16.

General and Operations Managers

Number Employed: 6,390

Median Hourly Wage: $58.40

Median Annual Salary: $121,470

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

15.

Human Resources Managers

Number Employed: 330

Median Hourly Wage: $58.49

Median Annual Salary: $121,660

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. Excludes managers who primarily focus on compensation and benefits and training and development

14.

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Number Employed: 70

Median Hourly Wage: $58.94

Median Annual Salary: $122,600

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization. Job analysis and position description managers are included in "Human Resource Managers

13.

Purchasing Managers

Number Employed:170

Median Hourly Wage: $59.23

Median Annual Salary: $123,200

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

12.

Financial Managers

Number Employed: 2,910

Median Hourly Wage: $59.35

Median Annual Salary: $123,450

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

11.

Sales Managers

Number Employed: 840

Median Hourly Wage: $59.99

Median Annual Salary: $124,790

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

10.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Number Employed: 1,070

Median Hourly Wage: $61.52

Median Annual Salary: $127,960

Occupational Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming. Excludes "Computer Occupations"

9.

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Number Employed: 360

Median Hourly Wage: $62.33

Median Annual Salary: $129,640

Occupation Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. Excludes "Natural Sciences Managers"

Photo courtesy of Joe Mohamed/flickr

8.

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Number Employed: 100

Median Hourly Wage: $68.57

Median Annual Salary: $142,630

Occupation Description: Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women.

7.

Dentists, All Other Specialists

Number Employed: NA

Median Hourly Wage: $70.50

Median Annual Salary: $146,630

Occupation Description: All dentists not listed separately.

6.

Pediatricians, General

Number Employed: 120

Median Hourly Wage: $74.93

Median Annual Salary: $155,850

Occupation Description: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

5.

Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

Number Employed: 2,500

Median Hourly Wage: $75.22

Median Annual Salary: $156,450

Occupation Description: All physicians and surgeons not listed separately.

4.

Psychiatrists

Number Employed: 210

Median Hourly Wage: $81.11

Median Annual Salary: $168,710

Occupation Description: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

3.

Dentists, General

Number Employed: 340

Median Hourly Wage: $83.05

Median Annual Salary: $172,750

Occupation Description: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

2.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Number Employed:110

Median Hourly Wage: $87.67

Median Annual Salary: $182,360

Occupation Description: Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

1.

General Practitioners

Number Employed: 160

Median Hourly Wage: $89.10

Median Annual Salary: $185,330

Occupation Description: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

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