Rhode Island Minimum Wage To Increase $2 In 2 Years

Rhode Island's minimum wage will go up $2 in two years.

The legislation increasing the state's minimum wage was signed by Gov. Dan McKee on Monday.

The act increases the minimum wage to $16 on Jan. 1, 2026, and to $17 on Jan. 1, 2027.

An estimated 50,000 Rhode Islanders are currently earning minimum wage, according to a media release from the Rhode Island General Assembly.

“Over the past few years we have increased our minimum wage to help offset the rising cost of living, helping our working families support themselves and keeping us competitive with our neighboring states," Rep. David A. Bennett, D-Warwick, Cranston, said in the release.

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Bennet, who introduced the legislation with Sen. John Burke, D-West Warwick, added, "But it’s important for us to keep that progress going, because the cost of living continues to rise and our minimum wage is not scheduled to increase after this year."

The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the release.

Massachusetts also has a current minimum wage of $15, the release said, and Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is indexed to increase with inflation, is currently $16.35.

“Thousands of workers across Rhode Island earn less than a livable wage,” Burke said in the release. “Raising the minimum wage regularly, as the General Assembly has been doing, ensures that these workers can meet their basic food, housing and health care needs. It also tends to stimulate the economy by increasing their purchasing power.”

Raising the minimum wage shows a commitment to Rhode Island's workers, McKee said in the release.

"Hard work should be met with fair pay," McKee said. "By raising minimum wage over the next two years, we are sending a clear message that our commitment to hard-working Rhode Islanders has never been stronger."

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