Minimum Wage in Rhode Island
The current Rhode Island minimum wage, the tipped wage, scheduled increases and overtime rules, from the official source.
Short answer: $16.00 per hour since January 1, 2026. R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 28-12
| Minimum wage | $16.00 per hour since January 1, 2026. Scheduled change: $17.00 per hour starting January 1, 2027. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 28-12 |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage | Tipped workers (such as waitstaff and hotel employees) can be paid a cash wage of $3.89 per hour, with a tip credit of up to $12.11, but wages plus tips must reach the full $16.00 minimum; the employer must make up any shortfall. The $3.89 cash wage is owed even when tips alone exceed the minimum. Employers may not keep any tips, except to cover credit card processing fees with advance notice. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 28-12 |
| Overtime | Time and one-half for hours over 40 in a week, with exceptions listed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-4.3. Rhode Island also generally requires time and one-half for work on Sundays and holidays (with exceptions, including health care, hospitality, agriculture and commercial fishing); for retail workers paid time and one-half on a Sunday or holiday, those hours are left out of the weekly overtime count. |
Where to get help in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Division of Labor Standards
- File a complaint or claim
More Rhode Island employment law
- Final Paycheck Laws in Rhode Island
- Meal and Rest Break Laws in Rhode Island
- Wrongful Termination in Rhode Island
- Paid Sick Leave in Rhode Island
- Non-Compete Agreements in Rhode Island
- All Rhode Island employment law rules
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island?
$16.00 per hour since January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island?
Tipped workers (such as waitstaff and hotel employees) can be paid a cash wage of $3.89 per hour, with a tip credit of up to $12.11, but wages plus tips must reach the full $16.00 minimum; the employer must make up any shortfall. The $3.89 cash wage is owed even when tips alone exceed the minimum. Employers may not keep any tips, except to cover credit card processing fees with advance notice.
What are the overtime rules in Rhode Island?
Time and one-half for hours over 40 in a week, with exceptions listed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-4.3. Rhode Island also generally requires time and one-half for work on Sundays and holidays (with exceptions, including health care, hospitality, agriculture and commercial fishing); for retail workers paid time and one-half on a Sunday or holiday, those hours are left out of the weekly overtime count.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.