Struggling to keep up with payroll and HR in Rhode Island? From local ordinances to statewide labor laws, we’ll help you save time and focus on growing your business.
Payroll services in Rhode Island
How Paylocity helps Rhode Island employers
Payroll that gets it done
- Seamless automation: Eliminate repetitive tasks with automated workflows that boost accuracy and save time.
- Smart safeguards: Built-in audits and integrations flag issues before they become errors.
- Transparent calculations: Easily manage overtime, bonuses, and local tax changes, even across overlapping jurisdictions.
Your extra HR team member
- Automated workflows: Use ready-made templates for common tasks or build custom processes that fit your business.
- One employee record: A single source of truth for employee data keeps everything organized and compliant.
- Effortless Time & Labor: Schedule quickly, track clock-ins and meal breaks, and standardize time-off requests.
Compliance made simple
- Compliance dashboard: Get a clear view of requirements with updated forms and expert HR support.
- Built-in data access: Quickly find work authorizations, EEO/FLSA data, pay records, certifications, and industry updates.
- Always up-to-date forms: Access the latest state and federal forms right from the platform.
Challenges facing employers in Rhode Island
Rhode Island maintains a complex compliance landscape that requires a careful balance between federal standards and state mandates.
As an employer, you must grapple with:
- Stricter employment regulations ranging from pay equity to paid family and medical leave.
- Higher state minimum wage rates.
- State-based limitations on non-compete agreements.
Rhode Island payroll fast facts
Minimum wage
$16.00
State income tax rate
3.75% - 5.99%
Right to work laws
None
State unemployment tax rate
- 1.21% (new employers)
- 0.90% - 9.40% (experienced employers)
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Rhode Island tax and compliance resources
FAQs about paying employees in Rhode Island
Does Rhode Island have a state income tax?
Yes, Rhode Island’s income tax is progressive, ranging from 3.75% - 5.99% based on the taxpayer's level of income.
Is Rhode Island a right to work state?
No, Rhode Island is not a right to work state, but it can pass right to work laws in the future if it wishes to do so.
What are the Rhode Island final pay laws?
In Rhode Island, employees who voluntarily resign from a job must receive their final paycheck by the next regular payday. Involuntarily terminated employees must receive their final paycheck by the next regular payday or within 24 hours if the employer merges, liquidates, disposes of, or relocates the business to another state.
Are there Rhode Island work break laws?
Under Rhode Island's meal break law, employers must provide employees with a 20-minute meal break for a six-hour shift, and a 30-minute meal break for an eight-hour shift.
