Pharmacy Technician Salary in Providence, RI: $46,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Providence, RI earns a median $46,183/year (≈ $22.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $45,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Providence, RI are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,183, reflecting a slight decrease of 4.26% compared to the national average of $48,239. The salary range for this role spans from $39,846 at the 10th percentile to $61,250 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the pay variability within the field. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a robust employment market for pharmacy technicians in the area. In addition to competitive base salaries, those working overnight shifts or in high-demand settings can expect added premiums, enhancing their overall compensation package. The job market in Providence reveals opportunities worth exploring for aspiring technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,846 | $19.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,658 | $19.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,183 | $22.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,627 | $25.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,250 | $29.45 |
Median Salary Position
4.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,404 (2026 est.). At $46,183, the local median is 4.26% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Providence median: $46,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $48,460 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -4.26% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Providence, RI earn a median of $46,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.26% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.70% below the Rhode Island state average of $48,460.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,183 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,378 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,880
2025 BLS Actual
$43,800
2026 Current Est.
$46,183
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Providence (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 | $37,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,695 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 18.8% from $36,880 (2019) to $43,800 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,815 (32.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,846 – $40,658 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,658 – $46,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,183 – $53,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,627 – $61,250 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Providence
Within Providence, there are approximately 2,240 pharmacy technicians currently employed, which demonstrates a strong presence of professionals in this field. The cost of living index sits at 101.773, slightly above the national average, influencing the true take-home pay for workers in this sector. Major employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital pharmacies are known to provide some of the highest wages, especially for roles involving sterile compounding, which adheres to USP <797> and <800> standards. Certifications like the CSPT and experience in hospitals or specialty pharmacies can help technicians maximize their earnings. With a notable 5.44% projected growth rate in employment, those looking to enter the profession in Providence should consider obtaining relevant certifications and exploring positions that offer shift differentials to enhance their pharmacy technician pay in Providence, RI.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $43,800 for pharmacy techniciansin the Providence metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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