Manufacturing Economy Monitor

Manufacturing in Rhode Island

Manufacturing contributed $6.2B to Rhode Island's economy in 2025 (7% of the state's GDP), ranking Rhode Island #43 of 50 states and DC by manufacturing output, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Output rose 3.6% year over year (+2.9% after inflation). The state's largest manufacturing industry is other transportation equipment ($1.8B in 2025).

Output and rank

  • Manufacturing GDP: $6.2B in 2025, #43 of 50 states and DC.
  • Share of the state economy: 7% of Rhode Island's GDP.
  • Growth: +3.6% year over year (+2.9% after inflation).
  • Composition: $4.2B durable goods, $1.9B nondurable goods.

Largest manufacturing industries in Rhode Island

  • Other Transportation Equipment: $1.8B (2025)
  • Chemical Products: $892M (2025)
  • Miscellaneous Manufacturing: $595M (2025)

Frequently asked questions

  • How big is manufacturing in Rhode Island? Manufacturing contributed $6.2B to Rhode Island's economy in 2025, ranking #43 of 50 states and DC, per BEA state GDP data.
  • What share of Rhode Island's economy is manufacturing? Manufacturing is 7% of Rhode Island's GDP in 2025. Nationally, manufacturing averages 9.5% of GDP, so Rhode Island is less manufacturing-intensive than the national average.
  • What is the largest manufacturing industry in Rhode Island? Other Transportation Equipment leads at $1.8B (2025), followed by chemical products ($892M) and miscellaneous manufacturing ($595M), per BEA state GDP by industry.
  • Is manufacturing in Rhode Island growing? Rhode Island's manufacturing GDP is up 3.6% year over year in dollar terms and up 2.9% after inflation, per the latest BEA annual data (2025).
  • Does Rhode Island make more durable or nondurable goods? Durable goods lead in Rhode Island: $4.2B versus $1.9B of value added in 2025.

About this data

  • Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (public domain). National quarterly values are seasonally adjusted annual rates. Corporate-profit industry detail reflects inventory valuation adjustment without capital consumption adjustment, per NIPA table 6.16D conventions.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.