Rhode Island Minimum Wage (2026)
Built & reviewed by Nandu Kannan · Overtime rules cited to primary statutes
Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour in 2026. Rhode Island's minimum is $16.00 as of 2026 and rises to $17.00 on January 1, 2027.
Rhode Island minimum-wage pay calculator
Pre-set to Rhode Island's $16.00 minimum. Change the hours, add overtime, and see weekly, monthly and annual gross pay update instantly.
Gross pay before taxes, at Rhode Island's minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate (federal FLSA); some states add daily overtime — see the state overtime calculator. Not payroll advice.
Tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island
The tipped minimum cash wage in Rhode Island is $3.89 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $12.11 an hour against the full $16.00 minimum.
How the tip credit works: the employer pays the cash wage, and your tips count toward the minimum. If your cash wage plus tips don't add up to the full $16.00 for every hour worked, your employer must make up the difference.
Tipped rates as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Local and industry rules can differ and rates change — verify with your state labor office before relying on these figures.
When will Rhode Island's minimum wage go up?
Rhode Island's minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $17.00 an hour on January 1, 2027. Rhode Island rises to $17.00 on January 1, 2027 under 2025 legislation. No automatic indexing or further increase is scheduled beyond 2027.
Scheduled increase timeline
- $17.00 — January 1, 2027
Want to see the next change in every state? See our 2026–2027 minimum wage increases by state.
Scheduled increases verified as of June 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor and the EPI Minimum Wage Tracker. Future inflation-indexed rates are set by the state later and are not predicted here. Dates and amounts can change — verify with your state labor office before relying on them.
Rhode Island minimum wage vs. the federal minimum
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Rhode Island's effective minimum is $16.00 — $8.75 above the federal floor. Where state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay whichever is higher.
Minimum-wage pay & overtime
At $16.00 an hour, overtime (1.5×) is $24.00 per hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. Run your own numbers with the Rhode Island overtime calculator or convert it to a yearly figure with the salary to hourly calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island in 2026?
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16.00 per hour as of 2026. Rhode Island's minimum is $16.00 as of 2026 and rises to $17.00 on January 1, 2027.
How much is Rhode Island's minimum wage per year?
At $16.00 an hour, full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks) is about $33,280 a year before taxes, or $640 a week.
Is Rhode Island's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes. Rhode Island's $16.00 is above the federal minimum of $7.25. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher rate.
What is overtime pay on Rhode Island's minimum wage?
Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate, so a minimum-wage worker at $16.00 earns $24.00 per overtime hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island?
The tipped minimum cash wage in Rhode Island is $3.89 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $12.11 an hour, but the cash wage plus tips must still reach the full $16.00 minimum — if it falls short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do tipped workers get full minimum wage in Rhode Island?
Not always in direct cash. Rhode Island lets employers pay a lower cash wage of $3.89 and count tips toward the minimum (a "tip credit"). But your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the full $16.00 minimum for every hour — if it doesn't, your employer must pay the difference.
When does Rhode Island's minimum wage increase?
Rhode Island's minimum wage is next scheduled to rise to $17.00 an hour on January 1, 2027. Rhode Island rises to $17.00 on January 1, 2027 under 2025 legislation. No automatic indexing or further increase is scheduled beyond 2027.
What will Rhode Island's minimum wage be in 2027?
Rhode Island's minimum wage is scheduled to be $17.00 an hour in 2027 under current law.
Rate as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and rates change — confirm with your state labor office. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Related
What's a minimum-wage paycheck after taxes in Rhode Island?
Minimum wage by state · Rhode Island overtime · Overtime by state · Salary to Hourly
States with a similar minimum wage
Hawaii — $16.00 · New York — $16.00 · New Jersey — $15.92 · Colorado — $15.16 · Arizona — $15.15