Rhode Island Minimum Wage
R.I. Gen. Laws 28-12-3
Regulatory Snapshot: Rhode Island Minimum Wage
Rhode Island Minimum Wage (R.I. Gen. Laws 28-12-3) is an enacted law in Rhode Island under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2022-07-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. Rhode Island currently reports 3 tracked regulations with 3 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Rhode Island within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in R.I. Gen. Laws 28-12-3 itself.
Applicability under Rhode Island Minimum Wage: All RI employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Labor and Training enforcement. Back wages. Notable exemptions: Agricultural workers, outside salespeople..
Summary
Rhode Island minimum wage $15.00/hr (2025). Tipped workers: $3.89/hr.
Key Requirements
$15.00/hr (2025). Tipped: $3.89/hr + tips to $15.00.
Penalties
Dept of Labor and Training enforcement. Back wages.
Applicability
All RI employers.
Exemptions
Agricultural workers, outside salespeople.
Official Source
https://dlt.ri.gov/employers/wage-and-hour/minimum-wageFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Rhode Island is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Rhode Island Minimum Wage enacted?
Rhode Island Minimum Wage was enacted on 2022-07-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as R.I. Gen. Laws 28-12-3.
What are the penalties for violating Rhode Island Minimum Wage?
Dept of Labor and Training enforcement. Back wages. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Rhode Island Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All RI employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Rhode Island compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Rhode Island has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 3 enacted regulations out of 3 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Rhode Island Minimum Wage?
The official text of Rhode Island Minimum Wage (R.I. Gen. Laws 28-12-3) is available from the Rhode Island legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Related Federal Data
Explore federal datasets connected to state regulation and enforcement.
PlainInfluence
Federal lobbying and influence data — see who shapes state regulation
PlainSpending
Federal spending data — track enforcement budgets behind regulations
PlainGovJobs
Government workforce data — agencies enforcing state and federal rules
PlainEnviro
EPA enforcement and environmental compliance across all 50 states
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |