Pharmacy Tech Pay

Providence vs Woonsocket: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Providence, RI and Woonsocket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Providence, RI
$46,183
$22.21/hr
Woonsocket, RI
$46,862
$22.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvidence, RIWoonsocket, RI
Median Salary$46,183$46,862
Hourly Rate$22.21$22.53
Entry Level (P10)$39,846$39,876
25th Percentile$40,658$40,673
75th Percentile$53,627$49,423
Top Earner (P90)$61,250$61,545
Total Employed2,2409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Providence ($46,183) and Woonsocket ($46,862) pharmacy technician salaries.ProvidenceWoonsocketMedian Salary$46,183$46,862Entry Level (P10)$39,846$39,876Top Earner (P90)$61,250$61,545US Median $48,239

Verdict

Woonsocket, RI offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Providence.

The salary gap between Providence and Woonsocket is $679 (1.47%). Woonsocket's median is -2.85% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Providence spans $21,404,Woonsocket spans $21,669. Woonsocket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Providence
P10 (Entry)$39,846
P25$40,658
Median$46,183
P75$53,627
P90 (Top)$61,250
Woonsocket
P10 (Entry)$39,876
P25$40,673
Median$46,862
P75$49,423
P90 (Top)$61,545

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Woonsocket ($46,629 effective) pays 2.76% more than Providence ($45,378 effective).

Providence
Nominal: $46,183
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $45,378
Woonsocket
Nominal: $46,862
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $46,629

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Providence if…

  • Larger job market (2,240 employed)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Woonsocket if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,862/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,545)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,629)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Providence grew 18.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in Woonsocket over the same period.

Providence, RI

+18.8%

$36,880 (2019) → $43,800 (2025)

Woonsocket, RI

+8.9%

$40,801 (2024) → $44,444 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Providence or Woonsocket?

Woonsocket has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $46,862/year, compared to Providence at $46,183/year — a difference of $679 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Providence and Woonsocket?

Providence pharmacy technicians earn $22.21/hr while Woonsocket hygienists earn $22.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Providence to Woonsocket as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Providence and Woonsocket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Providence = $45,378, Woonsocket = $46,629), job availability (2,240 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Providence vs Woonsocket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,846 in Providence and $39,876 in Woonsocket. The Woonsocket area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov