How much does a Police Officer make in Rhode Island?

BLS puts the average Police Officer pay in Rhode Island at $78,760 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Rhode Island, after federal taxes, FICA, and Rhode Island state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $61,035 annually ($5,086/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Police Officer in Rhode Island?

On a $78,760 salary in Rhode Island, your take-home pay is approximately $61,035/year or $5,086/month. Federal tax: $8,497. State tax: $2,337. FICA: $6,025. RI Temporary Disability: $866.

Is $78,760 a good Police Officer salary?

$78,760 is the BLS average Police Officer pay in Rhode Island, about the same as the US average of $79,200 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Rhode Island earn between $69,370 and $91,620.

How do Rhode Island taxes affect Police Officer salaries?

Rhode Island levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $78,760 is $2,337. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 22.5%.

What are the career growth prospects for Police Officers?

In Rhode Island, the top 10% earn over $91,760 and the bottom 10% under $59,020 (BLS, May 2025). 3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Detective, Sergeant, State Trooper, Sheriff Deputy, Federal Agent.

How can a Police Officer in Rhode Island reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Police Officer Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

Average Police Officer pay in Rhode Island

$78,760/year

≈ $38/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $69,370–$91,620

US average: $79,200

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$61,035/year

$5,086/month · effective tax rate 22.51%

Federal $8,497
State $2,337
Disability / leave $866
FICA $6,025
Take-home

Pay by role in Rhode Island

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Providence metro)BLS · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · middle 50%$84,120–$116,860
Senior Patrol / Specialty OfficerBLS · 75th–90th percentile$91,620–$91,760
Detective / InvestigatorBLS · middle 50%$77,760–$99,100
Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer (Providence metro)BLS · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · 75th–90th percentile$91,620–$98,710
Patrol Officer / Trooper / DeputyBLS · middle 50%$69,370–$91,620
Recruit / Probationary OfficerBLS · 10th–25th percentile$59,020–$69,370

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$61,035
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,086
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,347
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$29/hr
Federal Tax	$8,497
State Tax	$2,337
RI Temporary Disability	$866
FICA Taxes	$6,025
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	22.51%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Police Officers earn the same — not even close

Rhode Island's police officer market is anchored by Providence Police Department (~445 sworn officers + the largest RI municipal police + one of the country's substantial largest per-capita US municipal police departments + the substantial Providence post-2020 LEACT-style reform + PPD Major Crimes + Special Investigations + the substantial post-2020 Providence recruitment + retention challenges), Rhode Island State Police RISP (~260 sworn troopers within RI Department of Public Safety + the substantial RI statewide police agency + RISP Detective Bureau + RISP SWAT + RISP K-9 + the substantial RISP I-95 + I-195 + Route 4 + Route 6 interstate + the substantial RISP elite trooper reputation + the substantial RISP barracks deployment), Cranston Police Department (~145 sworn + the substantial Cranston cross-Providence), Warwick Police Department (~165 sworn + the substantial Warwick + TF Green Airport + the substantial Warwick Kent County hospital), Pawtucket Police Department (~150 sworn + the substantial Hasbro + the substantial Pawtucket post-2020 reform), East Providence Police Department (~95 sworn + the substantial East Providence Citizens Financial cross-river), Newport Police Department (~85 sworn + the substantial Naval Station Newport federal liaison + the substantial Newport mansion tourism + the substantial post-2020 Newport UHNW market), North Kingstown PD + Bristol PD + Westerly PD + Middletown PD + Coventry PD + the substantial RI smaller municipal departments + Kent County + Providence County + Newport County Sheriffs (RI sheriffs handle court services + warrant service + judicial process — RI sheriffs DO NOT conduct patrol), plus substantial federal law enforcement at FBI Providence + DEA Providence + ATF + USMS + the substantial Naval Station Newport + GD Electric Boat federal security.

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Providence metro)

$84,120–$116,860

Senior officer + sergeant at PPD · ERSRI + RI NOT RTW + Providence FOP Lodge 3 collective bargaining · OT + detail

Source: BLS May 2025 · First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · middle 50%

Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer

$91,620–$91,760

Senior trooper at RISP · Detective Bureau + SWAT + K-9 + I-95 + I-195 interstate + barracks deployment

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Rhode Island · 75th–90th percentile

Detective / Investigator

$77,760–$99,100

Senior detective at PPD + RISP + Cranston PD + Warwick PD · investigations + casework + ERSRI

Source: BLS May 2025 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators · Rhode Island · middle 50%

Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer (Providence metro)

$91,620–$98,710

Senior officer at Warwick PD · TF Green Airport + Kent County + the substantial post-2020 Warwick growth

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA · 75th–90th percentile

Patrol Officer / Trooper / Deputy

$69,370–$91,620

Mid-career officer · ERSRI membership · RI Municipal Police Academy + RISP Academy certified

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Rhode Island · middle 50%

Recruit / Probationary Officer

$59,020–$69,370

New officer · post-academy + field training · RI Municipal Police Academy + RISP Academy certified · ERSRI at hire

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Rhode Island · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island ERSRI + Municipal Employees Retirement System MERS + RI NOT a Right-to-Work state + Providence FOP Lodge 3 + the substantial RI unique structure where sheriffs handle court services rather than patrol is the structural foundation of RI career police compensation and a distinctive RI police officer feature most national surveys understate. ERSRI + MERS (the RI statewide public pension covering ~70K active + retired members + the substantial ERSRI State Employees + MERS Municipal + the substantial MERS Public Safety classification for police + firefighters + corrections + the substantial ERSRI defined-benefit Tier 1 pre-July-2012 + Tier 2 post-2012 hybrid defined-benefit + defined-contribution for new hires + the substantial ERSRI funded ratio post-2011 Raimondi reform improvements + the substantial post-2024 RI ERSRI further reform) provides protective service pension at RI public-safety formula appreciably more generous than ERSRI State Employees — supporting career police retirement after 25-30 years. RI recognizes public-sector collective bargaining (RI State Labor Relations Act + Providence Fraternal Order of Police FOP Lodge 3 + Rhode Island State Troopers Association RISTA + International Brotherhood of Police Officers IBPO RI + Rhode Island Council 94 AFSCME + the substantial RI Police Officers Standards & Training POST certification + the substantial RI public-safety collective bargaining). RI is NOT a Right-to-Work state — meaning public-sector employees can have full collective bargaining rights including union security clauses. Providence FOP Lodge 3 + the substantial Providence PD as one of the country's substantial largest per-capita US municipal police forces supports substantial Providence police career path. The substantial RI unique police structure where Providence County + Kent County + Newport County Sheriffs handle court services + judicial process + warrant service rather than patrol — RI sheriffs are appointed by the Governor + serve at the pleasure of the executive — making RI one of a handful of US states with no patrol sheriff functions outside of the substantial municipal + state police primary patrol. Newport mansion + Naval Station Newport coordination (the substantial Newport PD post-mansion + Naval Station Newport federal liaison + the substantial Newport Bellevue Avenue mansion patrol + the substantial Newport tourism season + the substantial post-2020 Newport UHNW migration calls-for-service + the substantial Newport Cliff Walk + the substantial Newport Folk Festival + Jazz Festival) supports unique Newport police specialty. Watch Hill Westerly UHNW coordination (the substantial Watch Hill Taylor Swift mansion + the substantial Watch Hill UHNW + Ocean House + the substantial Watch Hill seasonal tourism) supports substantial Westerly seasonal police premium. Post-2020 Providence + Cranston + Warwick + Pawtucket recruitment + retention challenges drove substantial signing bonus + retention bonus + lateral transfer incentives — PPD post-2022 offered $15K-$25K lateral signing bonuses to certified officers. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028 — RI OBBBA OT applies to officer overtime + detail . RI progressive 3.75-5.99% + RI 7% state sales tax + RI estate tax $1.775M (2026) + RI NOT a RTW state + ERSRI + MERS + RISTA + FOP Lodge 3 + IBPO + AFSCME Council 94 collective bargaining + RI unique sheriff structure anchor the RI police officer proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Police Officers in Rhode Island and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Rhode Island 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers