Rhode Island's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16.00 an hour, $8.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $17.00 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $33,280 a year before taxes. Source Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $27,344 a year, or $1,051.69 every two weeks.
What the Rhode Island minimum wage pays
| At $16.00 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($17.00) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $16.00 | $17.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $128.00 | $136.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $640.00 | $680.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,280.00 | $1,360.00 |
| Per month | $2,773.33 | $2,946.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $33,280.00 | $35,360.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,051.69 | $1,112.09 |
| Take-home per year | $27,343.94 | $28,914.34 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Rhode Island income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $16,640 a year and about $14,543 after taxes.
Rhode Island minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour since January 1, 2026. Under current state law it rises to $17.00 an hour on January 1, 2027. | Rhode Island General Assembly, H 7771 (shows current law 28-12-3) |
| Tipped workers | Tipped workers in Rhode Island (those who earn more than $30 a month in tips) must be paid at least $3.89 an hour in cash, and tips must bring them up to $16.00. | US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees |
| Overtime and Sunday pay | Overtime at 1.5 times your rate is due after 40 hours a week. Many retail and certain other workers must also get time and a half for work on Sundays and holidays. | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws |
How Rhode Island's minimum wage compares
Rhode Island has the 5th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Hawaii, New York.
The typical (median) worker in Rhode Island earns $27.30 an hour, so the minimum wage is 59% of the median wage. 10% of Rhode Island workers earn less than $15.61 an hour and 25% less than $19.12 (BLS, May 2025, all 501,340 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Rhode Island, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $15.00 | 2,880 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $15.00 | 1,470 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $15.14 | 13,310 |
| Dishwashers | $16.33 | 2,790 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $16.46 | 1,260 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $16.76 | 1,020 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $33,280 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $2,926 | $4,088 |
| 2 children | $5,338 | $6,870 |
| 3 children or more | $6,253 | $7,785 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $33,280 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $832 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,664. Source
Rhode Island minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island?
$16.00 an hour. It rises to $17.00 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Rhode Island minimum wage a year?
$33,280 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,773 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $27,344.
How much is the Rhode Island minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,051.69 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Rhode Island taxes.
Is Rhode Island's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $17.00 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $2,080 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Rhode Island minimum wage?
$24.00 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
California minimum wage ($16.90) · Hawaii minimum wage ($16.00) · New York minimum wage ($16.00) · New Jersey minimum wage ($15.92) · Oregon minimum wage ($15.55) · Colorado minimum wage ($15.16) · Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10)
Related
Rhode Island paycheck calculator · $16 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $16.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.