What does a Pharmacist salary really buy you in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Pharmacist earning $128,010 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $122,263 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $48,150 | $45,988 | $-2,161 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $108,470 | $103,600 | $-4,869 |
| Median (P50) | $128,010 | $122,263 | $-5,746 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $139,200 | $132,951 | $-6,248 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $155,990 | $148,987 | $-7,002 |
While $128,010 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $122,263. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Pharmacist salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Rhode Island ranks #49 out of 50 states for Pharmacist after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Pharmacist in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $128,010 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $122,263 — a -4.5% difference.
Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Pharmacist in Rhode Island: $128,010 x (100 / 104.7) = $122,263. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Pharmacist's nominal salary of $128,010 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $122,263. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.