Rhode Island Minimum Wage 2026: $16.00/hr

Rhode Island workers must be paid at least $16.00 an hour, $8.75 above the federal $7.25 minimum.

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for Rhode Island

Minimum wage: $16.00/hr
In effect since: January 1, 2026
Scheduled change: Next change: $17.00/hr effective January 1, 2027
Tipped cash wage: $3.89/hr
Compared with federal: +$8.75 vs the federal $7.25
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week

Source

Rule: Rhode Island minimum wage law
Published by: dlt.ri.gov
Last updated: September 26, 2026

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The short answer

Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00/hr in 2026, $8.75 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #7 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $3.89/hr. It is scheduled to rise to $17.00/hr on January 1, 2027.

How the Rhode Island minimum wage works

In Rhode Island, the minimum wage is $16.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. Rhode Island sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $3.89 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. This reflects a state overtime law.

Rhode Island increased to $16.00/hr on January 1, 2026 and rises to $17.00/hr on January 1, 2027 under legislation signed in 2025. Tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $3.89/hr (tip credit of $12.11) as long as cash wage plus tips reaches the full minimum wage.

How Rhode Island compares

State rate: $16.00/hr
Federal minimum: $7.25/hr
Difference: +$8.75 (+120.7%)
National rank: #7 of 51

Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.

Rhode Island overtime rules

Weekly overtime threshold: 40 hours (1.5x)
Governing law: State overtime law

Rhode Island requires overtime at 1.5x for hours over 40 per week. Separate laws require time and one-half for Sunday and holiday work in retail and certain other businesses.

Sources for this page

Rhode Island minimum wage — state labor department dlt.ri.gov
Rhode Island overtime rules — state labor department webserver.rilegislature.gov
U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov

Minimum Wage · 5 min read Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Rate, All 50 States, and Your RightsThe federal minimum wage remains $7.25, unchanged since 2009. Check your state's 2026 minimum wage rate and find out what to do if you're being underpaid.