Rhode Island's Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect This Week

PROVIDENCE, RI — Starting next week, minimum wageworkers in Rhode Island will see a bump in their paychecks. The $1 per hour increase approved earlier this year goes into effect Oct. 1.

Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the bill raising the wage into law in March. Once in effect, the rate will be $11.50 per hour. The last increase came in January 2019, when it was raised to $10.50 per hour.

Despite the increase, Rhode Island still lags behind several neighboring states' minimum wages. Connecticut's minimum wage is $12 per hour, while Massachusetts' is $12.75. New Hampshire, meanwhile, lags behind at $7.25 per hour, the same as the current federal rate.