Short answer. Rhode Island Governor, August 4, 2025: under 2025-H 5029A and 2025-S 0125A the minimum wage is $17 on January 1, 2027.
$17.00
Rhode Island minimum wage from January 1, 2027 (+$1.00, 6.3%)
Rhode Island minimum wage at a glance
- 2027 rate
- $17.00 from January 1, 2027
- 2026 rate
- $16 from January 1, 2026 (2025-H 5029A / 2025-S 0125A, Governor's office).
- Change
- +$1.00 an hour (6.3%)
- Tipped employees
- Cash wage $3.89 → $3.89; maximum tip credit $13.11
- Local rates
- Not confirmed on a state page
Rhode Island tipped employees in 2027
RI DLT: the gratuity rule leaves a cash wage of $3.89 per hour (in effect since 2017). A server on $3.89 who works 30 hours needs at least $393.30 in tips that week to reach $17.00 an hour; the employer covers any shortfall.
Other Rhode Island rates
| Who | 2026 | 2027 | Where it's from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time students under 19 at nonprofit religious, educational, library or community service employers (90%) | $14.40 | $15.30 | RI DLT: 90% of the applicable minimum. |
| Ages 14 and 15 working 24 hours or fewer a week (75%) | $12.00 | $12.75 | RI DLT: 75% of the applicable minimum. |
What the Rhode Island change costs: an example
Each row compares a pay rate with the Rhode Island 2027 floor. Weekly cost is the raise times hours, with overtime at time and a half; the last column runs from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 (52.14 weeks). Employer taxes aren't included.
| Employee | Rate now | Hours | Raise | Weekly | Rest of 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At the 2026 minimum | $16.00 | 40 | +$1.00 | $40.00 | $2,085.60 |
| Between the two rates | $16.50 | 30 | +$0.50 | $15.00 | $782.10 |
| Full time plus 5 hours overtime | $16.00 | 45 | +$1.00 | $47.50 | $2,476.65 |
| Already above 2027 | $17.50 | 40 | None | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Tipped, at the 2026 cash wage | $3.89 | 30 | None | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Run your own staff list in the payroll change calculator set to Rhode Island.
Updating Rhode Island payroll
- Before January 1, 2027, list everyone paid under $17.00 an hour (or under $3.89 cash for tipped staff), including part-timers and seasonal staff.
- Decide which Rhode Island rate applies to each person: full-time students under 19 at nonprofit religious, educational, library or community service employers (90%); ages 14 and 15 working 24 hours or fewer a week (75%).
- Change the rates in payroll with an effective date of January 1, 2027, and split any pay period that crosses it.
- For tipped staff, update the cash wage and keep checking each week that cash wage plus tips reaches $17.00.
- Replace the state minimum wage poster with the 2027 version from the state labor department.
Official Rhode Island sources
- Rhode Island Governor: McKee signs legislation raising the minimum wage
- RI DLT: Minimum Wage
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated November 5, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised July 1, 2026)
General information, not legal advice, checked November 2026 against the official Rhode Island pages above. A state can change a rate after we check, cities and counties can set higher rates, and exemptions depend on the job and the employer. Before you change payroll, confirm the rate on the state labor department's site or with your payroll provider or employment attorney. MCC Solutions isn't affiliated with any government agency.
Rhode Island 2027 minimum wage questions
What is the Rhode Island minimum wage in 2027?
$17.00 an hour from January 1, 2027, up from $16.00. Rhode Island Governor, August 4, 2025: under 2025-H 5029A and 2025-S 0125A the minimum wage is $17 on January 1, 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island for 2027?
$3.89 an hour in cash wages ($3.89 before the change), with tips making up the rest of $17.00. RI DLT: the gratuity rule leaves a cash wage of $3.89 per hour (in effect since 2017).
Is there a different Rhode Island rate for full-time students under 19 at nonprofit religious, educational, library or community service employers (90%)?
Yes: $15.30 in 2027 ($14.40 in 2026). Source: RI DLT: 90% of the applicable minimum. It applies only to workers who fit that description; everyone else gets $17.00.
Is there a different Rhode Island rate for ages 14 and 15 working 24 hours or fewer a week (75%)?
Yes: $12.75 in 2027 ($12.00 in 2026). Source: RI DLT: 75% of the applicable minimum. It applies only to workers who fit that description; everyone else gets $17.00.
How much more does a full-time Rhode Island minimum wage worker cost each week in 2027?
$1.00 an hour more, so $40.00 for a 40-hour week before employer taxes, or about $2,085.60 over the rest of 2027. Overtime hours add the raise at time and a half.
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