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Rehabilitation Counselors Salary in Rhode Island: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Rehabilitation Counselors salary really buy you in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$54,080
Median annual (2024)
-4.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$51,652
COL-adjusted (RPP=104.7)

Rhode Island Cost of Living Index

Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Rehabilitation Counselors earning $54,080 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,652 in an average-cost US state.

RI: 104.7
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $46,740 $44,641 $-2,098
25th Percentile (P25) $46,750 $44,651 $-2,098
Median (P50) $54,080 $51,652 $-2,427
75th Percentile (P75) $77,830 $74,336 $-3,493
90th Percentile (P90) $86,570 $82,683 $-3,886
Key Insight

While $54,080 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $51,652. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Rehabilitation Counselors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Rehabilitation Counselors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$80,784
RPP 102.0
$68,466
RPP 88.7
$62,807
RPP 89.4
4. Alabama
$61,867
RPP 87.8
5. Wyoming
$61,501
RPP 91.9
$56,637
RPP 91.0
$55,625
RPP 88.0
$54,844
RPP 89.8
$53,387
RPP 109.8
$53,378
RPP 96.2

Rhode Island ranks #12 out of 50 states for Rehabilitation Counselors after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Rehabilitation Counselors in Rhode Island after cost of living?

A Rehabilitation Counselors in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $54,080 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $51,652 — a -4.5% difference.

Is Rhode Island expensive to live in?

Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Rehabilitation Counselors in Rhode Island: $54,080 x (100 / 104.7) = $51,652. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Rhode Island offset the salary?

Partially — a Rehabilitation Counselors's nominal salary of $54,080 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $51,652. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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