Rhode Island Minimum Wage Calculator

💡 Rhode Island Wage Law Essentials

• Standard Minimum Rate: Under RI General Law § 28-12-3, the statewide baseline minimum wage is $16.00/hour. Cities in Rhode Island cannot set local municipal minimum wages.
• Tipped Minimum Cash Wage: Employers may pay a direct cash wage of $3.89/hour and claim up to a $12.11/hour tip credit for employees regularly receiving tips.
• Tip Shortfall Make-Up: If direct cash pay ($3.89/hr) plus tips average less than $16.00/hr across all weekly hours worked, the employer must cover the entire shortfall.
• Minor & Student Exceptions: Minors aged 14–15 who work 24 hours or fewer per week can be paid 75% ($12.00/hour). If they work over 24 hours in a week, the full $16.00/hr applies to all hours. Full-time students under 19 working for non-profit entities may be paid 90% ($14.40/hour).
• Overtime Pay: Non-exempt hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek must be paid at 1.5× regular pay. For tipped employees, the direct cash overtime rate is $(1.5 \times \text{Base Minimum Wage}) - \text{Tip Credit} = (1.5 \times \$16.00) - \$12.11 = \$24.00 - \$12.11 = \$11.89/\text{hour}$.
• Sunday / Holiday Premium: Under RIGL § 25-3-3, certain retail and non-exempt employers must pay 1.5× regular rates for Sunday and holiday work.