Bill Introduced to Raise Rhode Island Minimum Wage to $20 by 2030

Bill Introduced to Raise Rhode Island Minimum Wage to $20 by 2030

Legislation has been introduced at the Rhode Island State House to increase the state's minimum wage from $15 to $20 over a five-year period.

Representative David Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced a bill (2025-H 5029) that would increase the minimum wage to $16 on Jan. 1, 2026; raise it to $17 on Jan. 1, 2027; raise it to $18 on Jan. 1, 2028; raise it to $19 on Jan. 1, 2029; and finally to $20 on Jan. 1, 2030.

“Over the past few years we have increased our minimum wage to help offset the rising cost of living, helping our working families support themselves and keeping us competitive with our neighboring states. But it’s important for us to keep that progress going, because the cost of living continues to rise and our minimum wage is not scheduled to increase after this year,” said Bennett. 

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“This legislation will keep our minimum wage rising in a predictable, stable way that allows Rhode Island’s businesses to comfortably plan for the coming increases, while keeping our commitment to livable wages for our constituents," he added. 

The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025. Massachusetts also has a current minimum wage of $15. Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is indexed to increase with inflation, is currently $16.35.

Representative Bennett, who is chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has been the primary sponsor of every law enacted to raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage since 2012, when minimum wage was $7.40.