Rhode Island’s Minimum Wage Set to Rise to $15 by 2025
Rhode Island’s minimum wage will increase to $15 in 2025, following a series of planned hikes that began in 2021
Rhode Island, Minimum Wage, Domestic Workers, Legislation, Inflation
Providence: Rhode Island is gearing up for a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour in 2025. This change comes after a series of increases that started back in 2021 when the wage was just $11.50. The state saw it rise to $13 in 2023 and then to $14 in 2024.
Even though there have been talks about raising the minimum wage again due to inflation and rising housing costs, those efforts haven’t gained much traction lately. Instead, lawmakers are focusing more on the housing crisis in the state.
On a positive note, domestic workers in Rhode Island are now recognized as employees. This means they will earn at least the minimum wage and get the same rights and benefits as other workers, like overtime pay. Before this change, many domestic workers were not considered employees, which left them without basic protections.
One attorney highlighted a case where a domestic worker could have claimed a significant amount in back wages if they had been classified as an employee. Unfortunately, that worker faced eviction without any support or benefits.
While Rhode Island’s minimum wage is set to rise, neighboring states like Massachusetts and Connecticut have already hit $15 an hour. Connecticut is even planning to increase its minimum wage to $16.35 in 2025 to keep up with inflation.
Interestingly, the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island will stay at $3.69 an hour, despite calls for an increase. Many advocates argue that workers often don’t receive the extra pay they’re supposed to get to reach the minimum wage.
For those working full-time at the new $15 rate, that translates to an annual salary of about $31,200, which is a nice bump from the previous year’s $29,120 at $14 an hour.
Thanks to our subscribers for supporting this coverage. If you’re not a subscriber, consider helping out local journalism with a subscription to the Providence Journal.
Follow Wheeler Cowperthwaite on X, @WheelerReporter, or reach out via email at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com.
This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal, discussing Rhode Island’s upcoming minimum wage changes and the impact on various jobs.