How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Rhode Island
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,540 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,380 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Rhode Island, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Rhode Island
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician I & II, Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island is $44,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,270 and experienced professionals can earn $58,990 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Rhode Island): $44,380 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Rhode Island
The RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Rhode Island 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician I & II | Supports pharmacist by providing nonjudgmental technical services concerned with the preparation of drugs under the direct supervision and responsibility of a pharmacist. |
| Pharmacist | Interprets prescriptions, compounds medications and dispenses to customers medications ordered by physicians, dentists or other authorized prescriber. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 2,240 | $43,800 | $45,590 | $37,790 | $58,090 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Rhode Island according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 2,240 | $43,800 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,540 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Rhode Island.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island is $44,380, which is $920 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Health - RI Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=275 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |