Minimum Wage Preemption: Pawtucket vs Providence
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Pawtucket, RI and Providence, RI?
Pawtucket has fewer restrictions than Providence.
Pawtucket, RI
Providence County
Rhode Island sets minimum wage statewide under RIGL Chapter 28-12, with the rate scheduled to reach $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025, generally preempting local minimum wage ordinances.
View full Pawtucket rules →Providence, RI
Providence County
Rhode Island sets the minimum wage statewide under General Laws 28-12, rising from $14 toward $15 plus, and preempts city wage floors. Providence cannot adopt a separate higher minimum wage.
View full Providence rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pawtucket | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| State law | - | RI 28-12 |
| Preemption | - | Cities cannot exceed |
| Tipped wage | - | Lower subminimum |
| Enforcement | - | DLT and AG |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pawtucket FAQ
Providence FAQ
Can Providence raise its own wage?
Not for private employers. Rhode Island preempts city wage floors, so Providence can only set wage standards for its own contracts and employees.
Are tipped workers covered separately?
Yes. Rhode Island sets a lower tipped-wage rate. Employers must make up any shortfall when tips do not bring earnings to the full minimum wage.
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