Payroll Cost per Employee in Rhode Island
2026 estimates — total employer cost including taxes and benefits
Min wage in Rhode Island: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate) | SUTA: ~2.9% on wages (varies)
Calculate Total Payroll Cost in Rhode Island
Payroll Tax Breakdown — Rhode Island 2026
| Tax / Cost | Rate / Rule | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Per agreement | $64,900 |
| Social Security (employer) | 6.2% on first $168,600 | $4,024 |
| Medicare (employer) | 1.45% of all wages | $941 |
| FUTA (federal unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| Rhode Island SUTA | ~2.9% on wages (varies) | $450 |
| Benefits (health, 401k, etc) | ~18% of salary (typical) | $11,682 |
| Total Employer Cost | $82,417 | |
Based on $64,900 median salary in Rhode Island. SUTA rate shown is approximate average — actual rate depends on claims history. Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
Payroll Requirements in Rhode Island
1. Rhode Island Payroll Tax & Compliance Overview
Rhode Island payroll costs are above the national average. Key employer requirements: state income tax withholding (4–10%), state unemployment insurance (SUTA: ~2.9% on wages (varies)), plus the standard federal obligations (FICA 7.65%, FUTA up to $420/employee). State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
2. Top Tips for Rhode Island Employers
Rhode Island employers: use payroll software like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, or Rippling to automate state-specific tax calculations. These typically cost $40–$150/month for small businesses — far less than the penalty risk of manual payroll errors. Set up pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to each payroll run to eliminate audit surprises.
3. Key Rhode Island Payroll Facts
- Minimum wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- State income tax: 4–10%
- State unemployment (SUTA): ~2.9% on wages (varies)
- Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department
Run Rhode Island Payroll Automatically
Automated payroll software handles Rhode Island tax calculations, filings, and W-2s for $40–$150/month.
Rhode Island Payroll Summary
- →Avg salary: $64,900/yr
- →Total cost: $82,417/yr
- →Overhead rate: ~27% above salary
- →Min wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- →State income tax: 4–10%