2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Rhode Island

$15 an Hour in Rhode Island — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $15/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $31,200. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Rhode Island state income tax, your take-home pay is $12.73/hr. In Rhode Island's high cost-of-living environment, this is below what's needed for comfortable living in Rhode Island.

Gross Annual

$31,200

Net Annual
$26,475

Net Monthly

$2,206

Net Hourly

$12.73

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $15.00 $2.27 $12.73

Daily (8 hrs) $120.00 $18.17 $101.83

Weekly (40 hrs) $600.00 $90.87 $509.13

Biweekly $1,200.00 $181.74 $1,018.26

Monthly $2,600.00 $393.76 $2,206.24

Annual $31,200 $4,725 $26,475

Full Tax Breakdown — Rhode Island, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $15/hr × 2,080 hrs $31,200

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $15,100

Federal Income Tax 5.0% −$1,564.00

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$1,934.40

Medicare (1.45%) −$452.40

Rhode Island Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$10,550

Rhode Island State Income Tax 2.5% −$774.38

Total Tax 15.1% effective −$4,725.18

Net Take-Home $26,475

How Does Rhode Island Compare?

See how $15/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $422.38 $2,236/mo $26,827 Florida None $2,271/mo $27,249 New York $958.25 $2,191/mo $26,291 Texas None $2,271/mo $27,249 Washington None $2,271/mo $27,249

Open Full Calculator for Rhode Island — $15/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$15/hr = $31,200/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Rhode Island

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Rhode Island

✗ Difficult — $15/hr falls short in Rhode Island

Avg 1BR rent in Providence: $1,500/mo — over the 30% rule (58% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Rhode Island: $50,000/yr
Your net annual: $26,475 ($23,525 below comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$12.6/hr

Working at $15/hr in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's standard deduction of $10,550 shields a meaningful portion of income at lower wages. Providence 1BR rents average $1,400/month. The state's small size and Boston proximity create a unique market — workers can access either economy.

At $15/hr, you work roughly 118 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Providence ($1,500/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.0x Rhode Island's minimum wage of $15/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $15/hr in Rhode Island is 15.1% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.0%, FICA 7.7%, and Rhode Island state tax 2.5%.

Rhode Island has a small economy anchored by healthcare (Lifespan, Care New England), education (Brown University, RISD), tourism (Newport), and a modest manufacturing sector. Proximity to Boston is a major economic driver.

Rhode Island has a progressive income tax with rates from 3.75% to 5.99%. The state has a standard deduction of $10,550 for single filers.

Rhode Island's minimum wage is $15.00/hr (2026).

Monthly Budget on $15/hr in Rhode Island

Based on $2,206/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Rhode Island's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $1,500 $18,000 68.0%

Food (groceries + dining) $265 $3,180 12.0%

Transportation $221 $2,652 10.0%

Utilities $132 $1,584 6.0%

Healthcare $110 $1,320 5.0%

Entertainment $110 $1,320 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $221 $2,652 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $-353 $-4,236 -16.0%

⚠ This budget is underwater — rent alone exceeds the 30% guideline in Rhode Island at $15/hr. Consider roommates, lower-cost areas, or targeting a higher wage to reach balance.

Overtime Pay — $15/hr in Rhode Island

At time-and-a-half ($22.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Rhode Island. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~17.2%.

5 hrs/week $113 $93 $4,650

10 hrs/week $225 $186 $9,300

20 hrs/week $450 $373 $18,650

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $15/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $12.73 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 3.4 hrs 4 hrs

Week of groceries $120 8 hrs 9.5 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 53.3 hrs 62.8 hrs

1 month rent (Providence) $1,500 100 hrs 117.9 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 666.7 hrs 785.7 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 3200 hrs 3771.2 hrs

What Jobs Pay $15/hr in Rhode Island?

At $15/hour, you earn 44% below the estimated median hourly wage in Rhode Island. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

barista, home health aide, security guard, warehouse associate, hotel front desk agent, call center representative

These figures reflect statewide averages for Rhode Island. The Providence metro area typically pays 18% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 15/hr in Rhode Island, your net income of $26,475 falls $23,525 short of the estimated $50,000 comfortable living threshold. Roommates, a side income, or a wage increase would significantly improve financial stability.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Rhode Island

The $15/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Rhode Island. The Providence metro area generally commands a 18% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 9% less.

Providence metro$17.7/hr+18%Higher pay, higher COL

Rhode Island average$15/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Rhode Island$13.7/hr-9%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Rhode Island at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $15/hr in Rhode Island

Saving $221/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00014 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$6,68431 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$13,36861 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00037 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,000114 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$7,50034 months10% on a starter home in Rhode Island

At 15/hr in Rhode Island, hitting these savings goals requires strict discipline. Track expenses for 30 days to identify spending leaks -- small cuts in food and entertainment often free up $100-$200/month without affecting quality of life.

Debt Payoff on $15/hr in Rhode Island

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($331/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$33116 months

Student loan$30,000$33191 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $15/hr

Contributing 6% ($1,872/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $295 in taxes at your 15.8% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,577/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $1,872 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $2,652/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$13,260$14,056$796 interest

10 years$26,520$28,191$1,671 interest

20 years$53,040$56,859$3,819 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $15/hr in Rhode Island?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,722 to your annual net take-home in Rhode Island after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 17.2%, so you keep 82.8% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$16/hr$1,722$144

5% raise$15.8/hr$1,378$115

10% raise$16.5/hr$2,583$215

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 15 an hour a good wage in Rhode Island?

15/hr in Rhode Island gives you $26,475/year after taxes -- below what's needed for comfortable living in Rhode Island. Avg 1BR rent in Providence: $1,500/month (exceeds the 30% rule). It places you 44% below the estimated state median wage.

What is 15 an hour after taxes in Rhode Island?

15/hr in Rhode Island = $26,475/year or $2,206/month net. Effective tax rate: 15.1%, made up of 5.0% federal, 7.7% FICA, and 2.5% Rhode Island state tax.

What jobs pay 15 an hour in Rhode Island?

Common roles at 15/hr in Rhode Island include cashier, food service worker, retail associate. Metro areas like Providence typically pay 18% more for the same role.

How does 15/hr go further -- Rhode Island or Texas?

15/hr in Rhode Island has similar purchasing power to ~12.6/hr in Texas. Rhode Island state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 15/hr in Rhode Island?

Saving $221/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $6,684 in 31 months. A 6-month fund takes 61 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 15/hr in Rhode Island?

A 6% contribution ($1,872/year) saves $295 in taxes at your 15.8% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,577/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 15/hr in Rhode Island?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,722/year to your net take-home in Rhode Island after the 17.2% marginal tax rate. You keep 82.8% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 15/hr in Rhode Island?

At 15/hr in Rhode Island, your total effective tax rate is 15.1%: federal income tax 5.0%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Rhode Island state tax 2.5%. You keep 84.9% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Providence on 15/hr?

The average 1BR in Providence is $1,500/month. At 15/hr, rent consumes 58% of your gross monthly pay -- above the 30% affordability guideline. Your net hourly rate of $12.73 means you work 118 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 15/hr look like as an annual salary?

15/hr times 2,080 hours equals $31,200/year gross. After all taxes in Rhode Island, your net annual income is $26,475 -- an effective take-home rate of 84.9%.