This session, Rhode Island lawmakers voted to raise the state minimum wage by more than 13% over the next two years. The wage is slated to rise to $16 per hour on January 1, 2026; and then again to $17 per hour on January 1, 2027.

Unfortunately, legislation ending premium time and a half Sunday and holiday pay did not advance. That means some businesses subjected to the antiquated Sunday/Holiday blue laws, will be required to pay $24 per hour in 2026 and $25.50 in 2027. Rhode Island is the only state in the nation with this outlier premium pay law after Massachusetts phased it out in 2023. At the current moment, Rhode Island will also have a higher minimum wage than neighboring Massachusetts.