# Labor Rights in Rhode Island

[Labor rights by state](/labor-rights/)

Rhode Island raised its minimum wage to $16.00 in 2026 (heading to $17.00 in 2027) and has long-running paid leave through TDI and Temporary Caregiver Insurance, which now offers up to 8 weeks of paid caregiver leave. Its paid sick law uses a 1 hour per 35 hours accrual rate. Notably, Rhode Island courts recognize none of the three common-law exceptions to at-will employment.

Data last verified 2026-10-12

## Workplace rights in Rhode Island at a glance

  Minimum wage (2026)$16.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. Scheduled to rise to $17.00 on January 1, 2027. Not indexed to inflation.Tipped minimum wage (2026)$3.89 per hour cash wage. Maximum tip credit is $12.11; if tips plus cash wage do not reach $16.00 per hour, the employer must make up the difference.Overtime1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, consistent with federal FLSA. No daily overtime rule.Paid sick leaveYes. Employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Employers with 18 or more employees must pay it; smaller employers must provide the same leave unpaid.Paid family and medical leaveYes. Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI), the latter reaching up to 8 weeks of benefits in 2026 (rising to 10 weeks in 2027 and 12 in 2028). Benefits replace about 4.62% of quarterly wages up to 85% of average weekly wage, with a maximum weekly benefit around $1,150. Funded by an employee payroll deduction of about 1.3%.Meal breaks20-minute meal break for shifts of 6 hours; 30-minute meal break for shifts of 8 hours or more (RIGL 28-3-14).Rest breaksNo state requirement beyond federal.Right-to-work lawNoAt-will employmentNo common-law exceptions recognized; at-will employment applies strictly, though statutory anti-discrimination and other protections still apply. Confirm with your state labor department.Final paycheckDue on the next regular payday.

## How Rhode Island compares to federal law

Rhode Island sets a minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25 an hour, so the state rate is what most employers must pay. Overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek.

## Neighboring states

- [**Massachusetts**$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/massachusetts/)
- [**Connecticut**$16.94 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/connecticut/)

[Compare all 50 states and DC side by side](/labor-rights/)

Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the minimum wage in Rhode Island in 2026?

$16.00 per hour, rising to $17.00 on January 1, 2027.

### Does Rhode Island have paid family leave?

Yes. Temporary Caregiver Insurance provides up to 8 weeks of paid leave in 2026 to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member, alongside TDI for a worker's own disability.

### Is Rhode Island a right-to-work state?

No. Rhode Island is not a right-to-work state.

### When must my final paycheck be paid in Rhode Island?

On the next regular payday.