Their annual salaries went up by $574.70 on July 1, from $19,817.27 up to $20,391.97.

The House speaker and Senate president, the leaders of their respective chambers, also received a raise. They both now make $40,783.94, or twice that of rank-and-file lawmakers.

Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi presides over the House chamber on June 20 as the Rhode Island General Assembly worked to conclude its 2025 session.

Why did Rhode Island lawmakers get a raise?

Salaries for state lawmakers are governed by Article VI, Section 3 of the Rhode Island Constitution, which calls for legislators’ pay to be adjusted annually based on “changes in the cost of living, as determined by the United States government" during the previous 12 months.

In some years, that has translated into a pay cut for the 113 legislators. As the economy sank, their annual salaries dropped in July 2008 and 2009.

But as the economy picked up, their pay rose with it. A year ago, their pay went up 4.1%.

Two RI lawmakers decline the raise

At least two legislators have declined the raise: Reps Edith Ajello, D-Providence, and Alex Finkelman, D-Jamestown.

For the record, Rhode Island lawmakers also get 100% state-paid health insurance. A handful decline it each year if they already have insurance through their day-jobs or spouse's employment.