Intro to Rhode Island Labor Laws

The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16.00 per hour. Additionally, employees required to work on Sundays and public holidays must be paid 1.5x their normal rate. This same rate is required for any hours worked past 40 hours a week.

References:

• Labor Standards FAQ(opens in a new tab)

• Minimum Wage Tracker(opens in a new tab)

Rhode Island follows the federal minimum exempt requirement of $684 per week or $35,568 per year for most exemptions from minimum wage and overtime.

References: Federal Minimum Exemption Threshold(opens in a new tab)

In Rhode Island, employees are entitled to a 20-minute meal break for a six-hour shift and a 30-minute meal break for an eight-hour shift. Meal breaks don’t have to be paid. Generally, meal break requirements don’t apply to workers at licensed healthcare facilities or when less than three workers are scheduled for the same on-site shift. 

References: Wage & Hour(opens in a new tab)

Rhode Island follows the federal requirements and doesn’t have state-specific lactation accommodations laws or regulations.