Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rhode Island: $46,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $46,228/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,998 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($45,929), East Providence ($45,575), West Warwick ($45,454).
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island are projected to earn an average median salary of $46,228, which is about 4.2% lower than the national median of $48,239. The highest-paying city in the state is Pawtucket, where technicians can expect an average salary of $48,428, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $44,731. This $3,697 salary gap may be influenced by factors such as cost of living variations, local demand, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in different areas. Rhode Island has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can shape job responsibilities and salary potential for pharmacy technicians. Increased demand for healthcare services, particularly as the population ages, is also driving job growth in the sector, with an annual compound growth rate of 5.44% projected in the coming years. With a total of 2,369 pharmacy technicians employed across 17 metro areas, cities like East Providence, West Warwick, Coventry, and Cranston are close contenders in terms of salary, with averages ranging from $47,422 to $48,054. Overall, the job market for pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island appears stable, with favorable conditions for those entering the field.
Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $36,721 (lowest entry-level) to $66,778 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island pharmacy technicians earn 4.17% less than the national median ($-2,011/year difference).
Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Rhode Island range from $39,757 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,282 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,228. The Rhode Island median is $2,011 below the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $22.23/hr. Approximately 2,369 pharmacy technicians are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,880
2025 BLS Actual
$43,843
2026 Current Est.
$46,228
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 18.9% from $36,880 (2019) to $43,843 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,863 (32.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $44,731 |
| Westerly | $45,274 |
| Bristol | $45,894 |
| South Kingstown | $46,019 |
| Cumberland | $46,139 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $48,428 | 100.5 | $48,187 |
| East Providence | $48,054 | 100.5 | $47,815 |
| West Warwick | $47,927 | 100.5 | $47,689 |
| Coventry | $47,701 | 100.5 | $47,464 |
| Cranston | $47,422 | 100.5 | $47,186 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,757 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,228 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,282 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pawtucket | $48,428 |
| 2 | East Providence | $48,054 |
| 3 | West Warwick | $47,927 |
| 4 | Coventry | $47,701 |
| 5 | Cranston | $47,422 |
| 6 | Warwick | $47,119 |
| 7 | Johnston | $46,881 |
| 8 | Woonsocket | $46,862 |
| 9 | Newport | $46,607 |
| 10 | North Providence | $46,513 |
| 11 | North Kingstown | $46,497 |
| 12 | Providence | $46,183 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $46,139 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $46,019 |
| 15 | Bristol | $45,894 |
| 16 | Westerly | $45,274 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $44,731 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new pharmacy technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Rhode Island?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov