RI
Rhode Island: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #9 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,097,379.
Rhode Island ranks #9 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (38.5). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 28.3 (Low), while Other Services is the most challenging at 42.5 (Elevated). The 14.2-point spread signals moderate variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 84,475 jobs.
Rhode Island: 38.5 Average Entry Risk
39,734
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
320,709
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
38.5
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Rhode Island at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Rhode Island
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Rhode Island.
Entry Risk by Industry in Rhode Island
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Rhode Island. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Construction
#17
Information
#16
Retail Trade
#21
Other Services
#23
Rhode Island Industry Data: 39,734 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 28.3 | #6/51 | 3,314 | 51,937 | $30,129 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 35.3 | #13/51 | 9,418 | 31,001 | $104,884 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 36.0 | #17/51 | 5,589 | 84,475 | $62,583 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 37.8 | #22/51 | 1,450 | 6,580 | $66,255 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 38.8 | #17/51 | 4,096 | 22,211 | $81,512 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 39.9 | #16/51 | 1,514 | 5,644 | $110,360 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 41.9 | #4/51 | 2,352 | 25,110 | $114,122 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 42.0 | #27/51 | 3,972 | 28,087 | $54,933 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 42.3 | #21/51 | 3,930 | 47,450 | $41,585 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 42.5 | #23/51 | 4,099 | 18,214 | $46,970 |
Largest Industries in Rhode Island by Employment
How Rhode Island Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs RI |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 38.5 | — |
| Massachusetts | 40.6 | +2.1 |
| Connecticut | 46.7 | +8.2 |