Pharmacy Tech Pay

East Providence vs Pawtucket: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

East Providence, RI
$48,054
$23.10/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$48,428
$23.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Providence, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$48,054$48,428
Hourly Rate$23.10$23.28
Entry Level (P10)$38,887$37,065
25th Percentile$39,952$38,905
75th Percentile$52,139$52,583
Top Earner (P90)$62,367$66,778
Total Employed1016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Providence ($48,054) and Pawtucket ($48,428) pharmacy technician salaries.East ProvidencePawtucketMedian Salary$48,054$48,428Entry Level (P10)$38,887$37,065Top Earner (P90)$62,367$66,778US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between East Providence and Pawtucket is $374 (0.78%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Providence spans $23,480,Pawtucket spans $29,713. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

East Providence
P10 (Entry)$38,887
P25$39,952
Median$48,054
P75$52,139
P90 (Top)$62,367
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$37,065
P25$38,905
Median$48,428
P75$52,583
P90 (Top)$66,778

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($48,187 effective) pays 0.78% more than East Providence ($47,815 effective).

East Providence
Nominal: $48,054
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $47,815
Pawtucket
Nominal: $48,428
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $48,187

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,428/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,778)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,187)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in East Providence grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

East Providence, RI

+8.9%

$41,840 (2024) → $45,575 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+8.9%

$42,164 (2024) → $45,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: East Providence or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,428/year, compared to East Providence at $48,054/year — a difference of $374 (0.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Providence and Pawtucket?

East Providence pharmacy technicians earn $23.10/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $23.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Providence to Pawtucket as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Providence and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Providence = $47,815, Pawtucket = $48,187), job availability (10 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,887 in East Providence and $37,065 in Pawtucket. The East Providence 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