Rhode Island Minimum Wage in 2026: $16 an Hour
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16 an hour since January 1, 2026, $8.75 above the federal minimum. Full time that is $33,280 a year before tax.
Rhode Island minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $16 an hour |
|---|---|
| In effect since | January 1, 2026 |
| Next change | $17 on Jan 1, 2027 |
| Tipped cash wage | $3.89 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $24 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
One statewide rate with no regional or employer-size split.
What $16 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $640 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $880 |
| A month | $2,773 |
| A year | $33,280 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $27,923 |
Rhode Island and its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Full time, a year |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $16 | $33,280 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $35,235 |
| Massachusetts | $15 | $31,200 |
For employers in Rhode Island
- Pay at least $16 an hour, and $17 from January 1, 2027; a higher city or county rate applies where it exists.
- Overtime: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
- Pay transparency: No posting duty: the wage range must be given to an applicant on request and before discussing compensation, and to employees at hire, on a move to a new position and on request. Details →
- A full-time hire at $16 an hour costs more than $33,280 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island in 2026?
$16 an hour, since January 1, 2026. One statewide rate with no regional or employer-size split.
How much is the Rhode Island minimum wage a year?
$33,280 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $2,773 a month or $640 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $27,923 a year.
Is the Rhode Island minimum wage going up?
Yes: to $17 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in Rhode Island?
$24 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $880.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $3.89 an hour if tips bring them up to $16; if not, the employer must pay the difference.
Which neighboring states pay more than Rhode Island?
Connecticut ($16.94).
Do cities in Rhode Island have a higher minimum wage?
Not that we list. If your city or county sets its own minimum wage, the higher rate applies where the work is done.
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