Starting January 1, 2026, Rhode Island’s minimum wage will rise to $16 an hour as part of a planned increase that will eventually bring it to $17 by 2027.
Governor Dan McKee officially signed the legislation on August 4, continuing the state’s effort to raise wages for low-income workers. The law builds on a previous 2021 bill that steadily raised the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 by 2025.
Roughly 50,000 Rhode Islanders currently earn minimum wage, according to the governor’s office. This increase applies to most hourly workers except those who earn tips.
Do you think this is enough, or should Rhode Island tie minimum wage to inflation moving forward?
Leave a comment