Employment rose in Rhode Island’s two largest counties, Providence and Kent, from December 2023 to December 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Acting Regional Commissioner Mark J. Maggi noted that Providence County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 1.5 percent. (See table 1.)

Employment in Providence was 293,100 in December 2024; Kent reported 77,300 employed. Together, the two largest counties accounted for 74.0 percent of total covered employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprise 73.3 percent of total covered employment in the United States. (Large counties and county equivalents are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.)

The two large Rhode Island counties reported average weekly wage gains over the year. Kent had the largest gain (+4.0 percent), followed by Providence (+3.5 percent).

Weekly wages in the two large counties in Rhode Island were below the national average of $1,507. Average weekly wages were $1,352 in Providence and $1,272 in Kent.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the three small counties in Rhode Island, defined as having employment below 75,000 in 2023. (See table 2.) Average weekly wages in all three smaller counties were below the national average: Newport ($1,353), Washington ($1,249), and Bristol ($1,174).

When all five counties in Rhode Island are considered, one reported an average weekly wage of less than $1,200, two registered wages from $1,200 to $1,299, and two had average weekly wages of $1,300 or higher. (See map 1 and table 2.)