Rhode Island minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16.00 an hour – $33,280 a year for full-time work, rising to $17.00 on January 1, 2027. Compare it with what common jobs in Rhode Island actually pay.
Rhode Island minimum wage$16.00/hr
Scheduled increases
Set by 2025 state law$17.00
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $16.00/hr.
Typical pay in Rhode Island
501,340 jobs$27.30/hr$56,780 a year
The minimum wage equals 59% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in Rhode Island
Median wage in Rhode Island for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
13,310 jobs in Rhode Island$15.14/hrRetail Salespersons
12,830 jobs in Rhode Island$16.76/hrNursing Assistants
10,220 jobs in Rhode Island$22.33/hrWaiters and Waitresses
10,160 jobs in Rhode Island$17.03/hrRegistered Nurses
10,090 jobs in Rhode Island$48.39/hrCashiers
9,260 jobs in Rhode Island$16.76/hrGeneral and Operations Managers
9,150 jobs in Rhode Island$56.43/hrCustomer Service Representatives
7,890 jobs in Rhode Island$22.86/hrOffice Clerks, General
7,700 jobs in Rhode Island$23.00/hrHome Health and Personal Care Aides
7,490 jobs in Rhode Island$21.00/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the Rhode Island labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island in 2026?
Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour.
Is Rhode Island's minimum wage going up?
It is scheduled to rise to $17.00 on January 1, 2027.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in Rhode Island per year?
At $16.00 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $33,280 a year before taxes, or about $640.00 a week.
What is the typical wage in Rhode Island?
The median wage for all jobs in Rhode Island was $27.30 an hour ($56,780 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 59% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if Rhode Island allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.