Rhode Island minimum wage 2026–2027: $16.00 now, $17.00 on January 1, 2027
Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $8.75 more than the federal $7.25. The next change is on January 1, 2027: $17.00 an hour (+$1.00, 6.3%), fixed in state law.
Share
Rhode Island minimum wage pay calculator
Rhode Island minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most workers (state rate) | $16.00 | January 1, 2026 | official |
| Scheduled increase | $17.00 | January 1, 2027 | law |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $3.89 | now | official |
When does the Rhode Island minimum wage go up?
The next change is on January 1, 2027: $17.00 an hour (+$1.00, 6.3%), fixed in state law. Fixed steps in state law.
Tipped workers in Rhode Island
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $3.89 an hour and count up to $12.11 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $16.00 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
Who is covered, and who can be paid less
Full-time students under 19 working for nonprofits, schools, religious or community groups: 90% ($14.40 in 2026); 14- and 15-year-olds working 24 hours a week or less: 75% ($12.00). Jobs covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act never get less than $7.25.
Rhode Island minimum wage history
On January 1, 2020 the Rhode Island minimum wage was $11.50; today it is $16.00 – up $4.50, or 39.1%.
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $11.50 | $11.50 | $12.25 | $13.00 | $14.00 | $15.00 | $16.00 |
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks tied 5th with 2 others of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; Rhode Island's $16.00 is $4.47 above it. Neighbors: Connecticut $16.94, Massachusetts $15.00.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Over 40 hours a week, at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $640.00; with 5 overtime hours it is $760.00.
Good to know
- Tipped workers' cash wage stays $3.89 with tips making up the rest (RI DLT).
Where to get help
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is enforced by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training; wage claims: dlt.ri.gov. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
Rhode Island minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island right now?
$16.00 an hour for most adult workers. Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $8.75 more than the federal $7.25.
What will the Rhode Island minimum wage be in 2027?
$17.00 an hour from January 1, 2027 – fixed in state law.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $3.89 an hour and count up to $12.11 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $16.00 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
How much is the Rhode Island minimum wage per year?
At $16.00 an hour and 40 hours a week, $640.00 a week, about $2,773 a month and $33,280 a year before taxes. At the 2027 rate of $17.00: $35,360 a year.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in Rhode Island?
With the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.