Statewide floor
Rhode Island $16.00/hr vs Hawaii $16.00/hr
All minimum wage comparisons
vs
Tie at $16.00/hr · 2026
vsRhode Island vs Hawaii Minimum Wage 2026
Rhode Island and Hawaii share the same statewide minimum wage of $16.00/hour in 2026. Tip credits, local ordinances, and indexing can still differ — compare those details below and on each state page.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$16.00Rhode Island
$16.00Hawaii
TieSame floor
—FT annual gap
Scoreboard — tie · 2026
Why it's a tie
- Both states share the same statewide minimum of $16.00/hr.
- Compare tip credits, local ordinances, and indexing for the real difference.
- Use tipped-wage rules and payroll tools for take-home differences.
Side-by-side metrics
| Metric | Rhode Island | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide minimum | $16.00/hr | $16.00/hr |
| FT annual gross (40×52) | $33,280.00 | $33,280.00 |
| vs federal floor | Above federal | Above federal |
| Tip credit | Yes ($3.89 cash) | Yes ($14.75 cash) |
| Local floors listed | 0 | 0 |
| Scheduled / indexed raises | Yes | None listed |
Pay by hours/week
Gross pay at each state's statewide minimum (before taxes).
| Hours | Rhode Island / wk | Hawaii / wk | Rhode Island / yr | Hawaii / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs | $320.00 | $320.00 | $16,640.00 | $16,640.00 |
| 30 hrs | $480.00 | $480.00 | $24,960.00 | $24,960.00 |
| 40 hrs | $640.00 | $640.00 | $33,280.00 | $33,280.00 |
Rate history 2020–2026
Official January 1 rates from the U.S. Department of Labor for Rhode Island vs Hawaii.
| Year | Rhode Island | Hawaii | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $16.00 | $16.00 | Tie |
| 2025 | $15.00 | $14.00 | -$1.00 |
| 2024 | $14.00 | $14.00 | Tie |
| 2023 | $13.00 | $12.00 | -$1.00 |
| 2022 | $12.25 | $12.00 | -$0.25 |
| 2021 | $11.50 | $10.10 | -$1.40 |
| 2020 | $10.50 | $10.10 | -$0.40 |
Source: DOL WHD historical tables (Jan 1 rates).
Pros & caveats
Rhode Island
Pros
- Above the federal $7.25 floor
- Scheduled / indexed increases on the books
Cons / caveats
- Tip credit allowed — cash wage can be as low as $3.89/hr if tips cover the gap
Hawaii
Pros
- Above the federal $7.25 floor
Cons / caveats
- Tip credit allowed — cash wage can be as low as $14.75/hr if tips cover the gap
- No automatic CPI schedule listed — raises need new legislation or ballots
Planning guide
How to read the Rhode Island vs Hawaii minimum wage comparison
Rhode Island and Hawaii share the same statewide floor in 2026. Tip credits, city rates, and taxes can still diverge.
FT annual gap
Same gross at 40 hrs/week on the state floor
Tip credits
Rhode Island: allowed · Hawaii: allowed
Local floors
Rhode Island: 0 major · Hawaii: 0 major
Before you use this Rhode Island vs Hawaii wage gap
Confirm work location
Pay follows where hours are worked. City ordinances can exceed either statewide floor.
Separate tipped roles
Cash wages under a tip credit are not the full minimum until tips make up the difference.
Check effective dates
Rates are for 2026. Scheduled increases can change the gap mid-year.
Model take-home next
Convert hours with the hourly calculator, then compare state tax take-home for net pay.
Federal vs Rhode Island and Hawaii
The federal FLSA floor is a nationwide baseline. Workers get the highest of federal, state, or local rates that apply to their hours. This duel ranks statewide floors; local ordinances and tip credits can change the cash wage for specific jobs.
Overview
Rhode Island and Hawaii share the same statewide minimum wage of $16.00/hour in 2026. Tip credits, local ordinances, and indexing can still differ — compare those details below and on each state page.
FAQ
They tie at $16.00/hour statewide in 2026.
Statewide floors match, so FT gross at the state minimum is the same ($33,280/year at 40 hrs). Local or tipped rules may still differ.
Rhode Island: yes — tipped cash wage around $3.89/hr. Hawaii: yes — tipped cash wage around $14.75/hr. Tips must still bring workers to the applicable minimum.
Rhode Island lists 0 major local floors. Hawaii lists 0. Employers must pay the highest applicable federal, state, or local rate.
Rhode Island went from $10.50/hr (Jan 1 2020) to $16.00/hr (Jan 1 2026) (+$5.50/hr). Hawaii went from $10.10/hr to $16.00/hr (+$5.90/hr). Figures are official U.S. DOL January 1 rates.
Yes. Rates reflect our 2026 minimum wage tracker (last reviewed against DOL and state labor sources). Laws change on Jan 1 / Jul 1 often — verify with each state's labor agency before payroll changes.
Convert hours with our hourly salary calculator, then run the result through the US tax calculator (or each state's calculator) for federal, state, and FICA withholdings. Minimum wage figures here are gross floors, not net pay.
Statewide floors match, so gross at the legal minimum is the same. Take-home can still differ because of state income tax, sales tax, and local costs.
Employers must pay the highest applicable rate for the hours worked in that jurisdiction. Compare Rhode Island and Hawaii state floors here, then check local ordinances on each state page.
The ladder shows weekly and annual gross at common hour counts using each state's statewide minimum. It helps translate the hourly gap into cash flow before taxes—overtime and tips are not included.
Use related links below, the reverse matchup (Hawaii vs Rhode Island), or the minimum wage compare hub picker for any two states.
Compare take-home too
Wage floors are only half the story. See state tax take-home comparisons for federal + state + FICA at the same salary.
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