Jan. 1 Minimum Wage Hike To Give RI Workers A Raise

As the new year rolls in on Jan. 1, so will a higher minimum wage for residents of Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

In 2024, there will be a minimum wage bump from $13 per hour to $14 per hour, the department said.

The raise will affect 48,800 Rhode Island workers — 10.2 percent of the workforce, according to an Economic Policy Institute report released last week. On average, the increase represents a $703 bump in annual earnings.

The increase comes in accordance with state legislation that will result in a minimum wage increase of one dollar annually before it reaches $15 in 2025, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

SEE ALSO: 11 New Rhode Island Laws That Will Change Your Life In 2024

More than 9.9 million workers across 22 states will receive raises because of Jan. 1 minimum wage increases, according to the Economic Policy Institute report.

In addition, 38 cities and counties will increase their minimum wages on Jan. 1 above their state’s wage floors, the report noted.

"In the absence of federal action, states and localities continue to take the lead in advancing fairer wage floors via legislation, ballot measures, and automatic inflation adjustments," according to the report.

The minimum wage increases will disproportionately benefit Black and Hispanic workers, the report said. Women make up 57.9 percent of workers getting a Jan. 1 increase.