Town of Westerly RI Jobs
Westerly, Rhode Island, a charming coastal town of about 23,000 residents, mixes a laid‑back vibe with a surprisingly diverse and growing job landscape. Whether you’re a new grad, experienced professional, or someone seeking part‑time work, Town of Westerly RI Jobs has opportunities in public services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and more. With a median household income around $90,900 and a healthy per‑capita income of $24,092, it’s a place where quality of life meets solid career potential.
Key Takeaways
- Diverse job sectors: Public works, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and data roles are well represented.
- Manufacturing pays well: Average around $25/hour (~$52,000/year), with skilled roles topping $30/hour .
- Strong municipal hiring: Town jobs in utilities, DPW, finance, and administration are regularly open .
- Healthcare is thriving: Westerly Hospital employs 700+ staff with many clinical and support roles.
- Retail & service jobs are abundant: Employers include Walmart, ALDI, CVS, Starbucks, Petsmart, and outlet stores.

1. Municipal and Public Sector Positions
The Town of Westerly RI Jobs actively recruits for roles across departments. Recent open listings include:
- Administrative Assistant – Utilities
- Finance Assistant
- Heavy Equipment Operator – DPW Highway
- Mechanic Foreman – DPW
These roles usually require a high school diploma or relevant trade experience; pay ranges from $40k to $70k+, with strong benefits. They offer stable work, community impact, and a clear career progression within municipal government.
2. Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
Manufacturing is a major employment pillar around Westerly:
- ~350–400 manufacturing positions are advertised locally.
- Across southeastern CT and RI, manufacturing jobs typically pay $14–$35/hr, with an average of $25.13/hr (~$52k/yr).
- Key employers around Westerly include Darlington Fabrics, US Extruders, Maxson Automatic Machinery, with roles like CNC operator, assembler, mechanical technician, machine operator, and more.
For skilled tradespeople, this is a robust sector. Entry‑level roles pay well, and technical certifications can boost earning potential.
3. Healthcare & Data/Office Roles
- Westerly Hospital employs 742 staff and over 300 medical professionals, including roles in nursing, imaging, physical therapy, lab services, emergency and geriatric‑psychiatric care.
- In the nearby region, healthcare roles (nurse, LPN, medical assistant) appear frequently, ranging $18–$23/hr or more in specialist positions .
- Office and data roles—such as data entry, analyst, system/data support—though fewer (~38 openings), still exist in nearby towns.
4. Retail, Service & Hospitality
A lively retail and service scene offers part-time and full-time roles:
- ALDI in town offers cashier/stocking roles at $18.50–20.50/hr.
- Walmart, CVS, Starbucks, Petsmart, and Family Dollar are hiring store associates, caregivers, managers, and more at $15–$22/hr .
- Seasonal and hospitality jobs—waitstaff, resort crew—are common during summer, especially with Westerly’s tourist influx.
These sectors appeal to students, parents, or anyone seeking flexible schedules and supplemental income.
5. Regional Manufacturing Growth & Workforce Initiatives
Westerly benefits from larger regional trends:
- Between Dec 2022–Dec 2023, manufacturing employment in the New London‑Norwich‑Westerly metro area rose 3.2%—the second‑highest in New England.
- workforce programs like Real Jobs RI, launched in 2015, support training and placement to meet employer needs.
- Automation and upskilling initiatives are raising pay ($22+/hr) by shifting workers from manual to technical machine‑operator roles.
6. Average Pay & Workforce Demographics
- Across all roles in Westerly, average annual salary is roughly $49,531 (approx. $24/hr).
- Median household income is about $90,933, with a per‑capita income of $24,092
- Labor force participation is strong, especially among those with some college or higher education (89–90%) , and unemployment drops from ~9% (no HS) to ~1% (Bachelor+).
7. Strategies for Job Seekers in Westerly
- Apply directly on Town’s website (CivicEngage): good for stable municipal roles.
- Tap into online job boards: Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Snagajob show hundreds of public, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and hospitality listings.
- Use training & placement programs: Real Jobs RI and MATC for relevant certifications.
- Network locally: Attend job fairs, Chamber of Commerce events, industry meetups.
- Tailor your resume: Highlight local relevance, certifications, municipal/service experience; list flexible availability for part-time roles.
8. Outlook & Economic Context
Westerly’s coastal charm attracts seasonal tourism, boosting hospitality and retail during summer. Healthcare continues steady growth. Manufacturing is expanding regionally, with rising wages and regional initiatives driving opportunity. Municipal roles remain reliably posted and well‑paid.
The town’s relatively older median age (~53.7 years) hints at a growing need for healthcare, skilled trades, and municipal workers as experienced professionals retire.
FAQs
What are the highest‑paying Town of Westerly RI Jobs?
Manufacturing technician roles (like CNC machinists, mechanical technicians) offer $25–35/hr. Clinical roles—registered nurses—pay $60–90k+. Municipal roles like DPW foreman also reach $60–70k+.
Where can I find Town of Westerly RI Jobs postings?
On the Town’s official website (CivicEngage portal), under “Employment Opportunities” the listings include utilities, DPW, finance & more.
Is manufacturing a good career here?
Definitely. Manufacturing offers strong pay (~$52k/year average), is growing regionally, and employers support upskilling into technical positions.
Are there remote or hybrid opportunities?
While most jobs are in-person, some data and office roles (e.g. data analyst) may offer hybrid, though limited (about 4–5% of listings). Remote-friendly roles may appear in nearby metro areas.
How competitive is the Town of Westerly RI Jobs market?
Labor participation is high—up to 90% for those with degrees; unemployment is very low (~1% bachelor’s holders) . Good qualifications and relevant skills are key to standing out.
Conclusion
Westerly delivers a robust, diverse job scene with appealing options for every career stage. Key sectors—municipal, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality—provide employment across pay levels and flexibility needs. Use town resources, job boards, and workforce programs like Real Jobs RI to connect with opportunities.