As part of a multiyear increase to the state minimum wage, Rhode Island reached $15 per hour starting on January 1, 2025. This was the final tier of the gradual wage increase.

The legislation, passed in June 2021, raised the state minimum wage to $12.25 in 2022, $13.00 in 2023, $14.00 in 2024, and finally reached $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2025.  Additionally, Rhode Island is the only state left in the nation requiring premium, time-and-a-half pay for certain industries on Sundays and holidays.

Last session, several lawmakers proposed bills raising the wage to $20 per hour. NFIB opposed these pieces of legislation citing the negative impact to small businesses. It is anticipated that these bills will be reintroduced for the 2025-26 legislative session where NFIB will continue to fight these proposals.