Overview of Rhode Island's Minimum Wage Requirements
As of February 2024, the minimum wage in Rhode Island is $14.00 per hour for all workers, except those who receive tips. For workers who receive tips, the minimum wage is $3.89 per hour, a rate that has been in effect since January 1, 2020. These figures represent gross values, and the amounts are before tax. The minimum wage in Rhode Island has seen an increase over the years. Starting January 1, 2023, the minimum wage was revised and increased from $12.25 to $13.00 per hour for all workers except those who receive tips. However, this increase in the minimum wage might not reflect the inflationary trends.
Understanding Local Minimum Wage Variations
The minimum wage requirements in Providence County, Washington County, Newport County, Bristol County, Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and East Providence, Rhode Island are all $14.00 per hour as of 2024. However, there are exceptions for tipped employees, some student workers, and other exempt occupations. For those who earn tips, the minimum wage is $10.11 per hour. There are also specific rates for full-time students under 19 years old working in nonprofit organizations, and 14- and 15-year-olds who do not work more than 24 hours in a week.
Minimum Wage Eligibility and Exemptions
In Rhode Island, most employees are eligible for the minimum wage of $14.00 per hour. However, there are exceptions for certain groups. Full-time students under 19 years of age working in nonprofit religious, educational, librarial, or community service organizations earn $11.70 per hour. 14- and 15-year-olds who do not work more than 24 hours in a week earn $9.75 per hour. There are also specific exemptions for certain types of work. Workers employed in domestic service in or about a private home, federal service, voluntary service in educational, charitable, religious or nonprofit organizations where employer/employee relationships do not exist are exempted.
Minimum Wage Considerations and Compliance Tips
Food business employers in Rhode Island must adhere to several key legal and compliance considerations regarding minimum wage. For employees receiving gratuities, such as waitstaff, the allowance for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate is an amount equal to the applicable minimum rates less $3.89 per hour. However, total earnings including tips must add up to the regular minimum wage of $14.00 per hour. If the wages plus tips don't reach this amount, the employer is required to pay the difference. Employers are also required to provide a pay stub every payday showing the hours worked, any deductions made, and an explanation of those deductions.
FAQs
- What is the current minimum wage in Rhode Island? The current minimum wage in Rhode Island is $14.00 per hour for all workers, except those who receive tips. For workers who receive tips, the minimum wage is $3.89 per hour.
- Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage in Rhode Island? Yes, there are exceptions for certain groups such as full-time students under 19 years of age working in nonprofit organizations, and 14- and 15-year-olds who do not work more than 24 hours in a week.
Information Source Links
- Paywizard Rhode Island
- Tusalario Rhode Island
- Wageindicator Rhode Island
- Overview of minimum wages in the United States
- Minimum wage worldwide
- Minimum wage news
- Minimum wage and labor laws
- Minimum wage laws
- About the minimum wage database
- Tusalario.org/USA
- Wageindicator.org
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